vietnam war

French Indochina

Occupied by the French, colonized in 1858 for resources; the French treated people poorly.

Ho Chi Minh

Led the nationalist movement after WWI; a Marxist educated in the West who fled to Soviet China when condemned to death by the French.

Viet Minh

Fighters in the nationalist movement who used guerrilla tactics to liberate Vietnam, notably fighting against Japan.

Geneva Accords

Agreements that settled the conflict between France and Vietnam, splitting Vietnam at the 17th parallel.

17th Parallel

Geographical line that split Vietnam in half, with the Soviets controlling the North and the US controlling the South.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall like dominoes.

Viet Cong

Communists living in South Vietnam who aimed to overthrow the South Vietnamese government.

Ngo Dinh Diem

Leader of South Vietnam; viewed as corrupt and authoritarian, supported by the US for not being communist.

Thich Quang Duc

Buddhist monk who self-immolated in protest against the South Vietnamese government.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Legislation allowing the President to take military action in Vietnam without congressional approval after attacks on US ships.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A bombing campaign aimed to boost morale, disrupt North Vietnam's support to the South, and destroy their transportation infrastructure.

Morale in Vietnam War

US troops believed superior weapons would lead to a quick victory, while the Vietnamese used guerrilla tactics.

Kent State University Incident

Mass shooting on May 4, 1970, where National Guardsmen killed four students during an anti-war protest.

My Lai Massacre

The 1968 killing of civilians by American troops in My Lai, leading to outrage and protest against the Vietnam War.

Pentagon Papers

Top secret documents that revealed deception by the US government regarding the Vietnam War, published by the New York Times.

Vietnamization

Nixon's plan to gradually withdraw US troops from Vietnam while transferring combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces.

Cambodia Invasion

A 1970 incursion ordered by Nixon into Cambodia to target Viet Cong bases, which angered peace advocates.

Fall of Saigon

The capture of Saigon by North Vietnamese forces in 1975, leading to the unification of Vietnam under communist control.

War Powers Act of 1973

Legislation requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops, with a 90-day limit on troop presence without Congressional approval.

Death Toll from the Vietnam War

Approximately 58,000 American troops and over 2 million Vietnamese (North and South) died as a result of the conflict.

Cambodian Genocide

The aftermath of the US invasion leading to a civil war under Khmer Rouge, resulting in the execution of around 1 million Cambodians.

'Boat People'

Poor Vietnamese refugees who fled by sea, many of whom died during the journey.

Civil Rights and Vietnam War

African Americans served in the war at a disproportionately higher rate despite facing discrimination at home.