8.8 - Vietnam War

Domino theory

Belief that if South Vietnam fell to communism, other nations would follow suit

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Granted President Johnson the authority to protect US interests after North Vietnamese attacks

Tet Offensive

A military campaign by the Vietcong that impacted American morale during the Vietnam War

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy of training South Vietnamese forces and withdrawing US troops

Pentagon Papers

Leaked documents exposing government mistakes in the Vietnam War

War Powers Act

Legislation requiring the President to report and seek approval for military actions from Congress

Communist Minh vs Anti-Communist Diem

Political rivalry in Vietnam

Diem was unpopular and later overthrown

Hawks vs Doves

Terms for supporters and non-supporters of the Vietnam War

Paris Accords

Agreement that aimed for a cease-fire in Vietnam but was ineffective

Credibility gap

Lack of honesty from President Johnson to the American public

SEATO

Dulles put together a regional defense pact called the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

General William Westmoreland

Convinced Americans to keep going in the war

Kent State / My Lai

Showed opposition to the war

1968 Election

Nixon(R), Wallace (R), Humphrey (D)

Henry Kissinger

Nixon’s security advisor/Sec of State