JFK and The Cold War Flashcards

Flashcards covering JFK's presidency, the Cold War, and the beginning of the Vietnam War, along with LBJ's Great Society and the progression of the Vietnam War through Nixon's presidency.

Election of 1960

JFK (Democrat) vs. Nixon (Republican); JFK was wealthy, handsome, and charismatic but seen as weak against Communism; Nixon was more experienced as VP and former Governor and was a huge anti-communist.

First Televised Debate

September 26, 1960, Kennedy and Nixon participated in the first televised debate between presidential candidates; image replaced printed word as the national language of politics.

Kennedy & Civil Rights

During the 1960 Presidential campaign, MLK was arrested for sitting in; JFK telephoned Coretta King to express sympathy, and Bobby Kennedy persuaded the judge to release King on bail, appealing to the African American community.

The New Frontier

Bold, new domestic programs proposed by JFK including education, welfare, health care, elderly assistance, inner-cities, continuation of FDR’s social action, and expansion of the space program.

The Best and Brightest

JFK surrounded himself with what one journalist described as the available talent; key advisors included Robert Kennedy, McGeorge Bundy, Robert McNamara, and Dean Rusk.

Flexible Response

Military policy under JFK that increased defense spending to boost conventional military forces, create the Special Forces (Green Berets), and triple nuclear capabilities, allowing the U.S. to fight limited wars while maintaining nuclear balance.

Peace Corps

JFK's program for American international volunteerism, where volunteers spend 2 years in developing nations specializing in education, agriculture, irrigation, sewage treatment, and/or health care.

Alliance for Progress

JFK’s pledge of support for Latin America; a 'Marshall Plan' using $20 billion supporting internal improvements, education, healthcare, and land distribution.

Space Race

Competition with the Soviet Union, spurred by Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human in space; NASA began construction on new facilities, and JFK promised to be the first to the moon culminating in the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched an invasion of Cuba to overthrow Castro, but the plan failed miserably due to lack of resources and support, leading to embarrassment for the U.S. and stronger ties between Castro and Khrushchev.

Berlin Wall

Constructed by the Soviets in 1961 to stop East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin; served as a symbol of the Cold War.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Installation of Soviet missiles and nuclear bombs in Cuba prompted a U.S. response, including a naval quarantine; the crisis ended with a secret agreement where the Soviets removed missiles from Cuba, and the U.S. removed missiles from Turkey.

Kennedy Assassination

November 22, 1963, JFK was fatally shot in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, TX; Lee Harvey Oswald was identified as the assassin, but conflicting testimony and controversy surround the event.

Great Society

LBJ's domestic programs, including the War on Poverty, Civil Rights, Education, Housing, and Environment, aimed at continuing JFK’s 'New Frontier' ideas.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Law that outlawed discrimination in public housing; part of LBJ's Great Society.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Law that ended requirements against African Americans for voting; part of LBJ's Great Society.

Economic Opportunity Act

Act that funded anti-poverty programs like Job Corps and VISTA; part of LBJ's Great Society.

Vietnam War Background

France established colonial power in Vietnam in the 1800s; Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945, leading to war between the French and Vietminh until the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam in 1954.

Domino Theory

The U.S. policy that if one South Eastern Asian nation fell to Communism, others would fall too, influencing involvement in Vietnam.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Gave Johnson the authority to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the U.S. and to prevent further aggression, deepening American involvement in Vietnam.

Tet Offensive

January 30, 1968, North Vietnamese army and Viet Cong began attacking cities in South Vietnam during the Tet holiday, leading many Americans to believe the U.S. would not be able to defeat the Communists in Vietnam.

Agent Orange

Herbicide/chemical used to destroy the jungle where the Vietcong were hiding during the Vietnam War, causing severe side effects.

My Lai Massacre

March 1968, 504 civilians murdered by US troops in the village of My Lai, leading to further protests against the Vietnam War.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy to train South Vietnamese soldiers to fight Communists by themselves, beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam.

Kent State University Shooting

Major protests at home as a result of Nixon’s bombing of Cambodia. National Guard members shot and killed four students.

War Powers Act

Limited Presidential power to deploy U.S. armed forces without explicit authorization from Congress. Passed in 1973.