History Multiple Choice Help

Geneva Accords

1954 agreement that temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel and called for future elections to reunify the country.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Congressional resolution that gave President Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam after reported attacks on U.S. ships.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam begun in 1965.

Tet Offensive

Massive surprise communist attack in 1968 that shocked Americans and weakened support for the war.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy of gradually withdrawing U.S. troops while turning fighting responsibilities over to South Vietnamese forces.

My Lai Massacre

1968 killing of hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers.

Cambodia Invasion

Nixon expanded the war into Cambodia in 1970 to attack communist supply bases.

Kent State Massacre

National Guardsmen killed four student protesters during antiwar demonstrations at Kent State University in 1970.

1973 Paris Peace Accords

Agreement that ended direct U.S. involvement in Vietnam and established a cease-fire.

War Powers Act

Law limiting presidential power to commit troops without congressional approval.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

New Federalism

Nixon's policy of shifting power and responsibility from the federal government to state and local governments.

Revenue Sharing

Federal funds given to state and local governments with greater freedom over spending.

Southern Strategy

Nixon's effort to attract conservative white Southern Democrats to the Republican Party.

Stagflation

Combination of high inflation and high unemployment.

Significance of OPEC

OPEC's control over oil prices significantly impacted global economies and politics, particularly during the 1973 oil embargo, which led to an energy crisis, inflation, and prompted shifts in U.S. energy policy and foreign relations.

Yom Kippur War

1973 war between Israel and Arab nations that triggered the oil embargo and energy crisis. Its significance includes leading to changes in energy policies and geopolitical relations.

Realpolitik

Foreign policy based on practical concerns and power rather than ideology or morality.

Détente

Policy of easing Cold War tensions between the United States and communist nations.

SALT I and SALT II

SALT I: Limited nuclear missiles between the U.S. and Soviet Union. SALT II: Follow-up arms limitation agreement negotiated later in the 1970s.

Nixon Tapes

Secret White House recordings that provided evidence of Nixon's involvement in the Watergate cover-up.

National Energy Act

Carter's program encouraging energy conservation and reducing dependence on foreign oil.

Camp David Accords

Peace agreement between Egypt and Israel brokered by President Carter in 1978.

Kennedy's stance on Diem

Initially supported Diem with aid; later supported a coup to remove him due to his corruption and repression.

Gulf of Tonkin incident effects

Reported attacks led Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving Johnson broad military authority and escalating the war.

Nixon's law and order implementation

Targeting protesters, expanding surveillance, enforcing stricter laws.

Nixon's civil rights stance

Slowed desegregation efforts, opposed measures, used Southern Strategy.

Weak economy causes in the 1970s

Inflation, deficit spending, foreign competition, labor supply, and rising oil prices.

Economic improvement efforts

Nixon used wage controls; Ford urged spending restraint; Carter focused on energy conservation.

Realpolitik and détente in foreign policy

Reduced Cold War tensions through negotiation and arms-control agreements.

Watergate exposure

Investigative journalism revealed the break-in at Democratic headquarters and cover-up.

White House cover-up methods

Hush money payments, obstructing investigations, and blocking the FBI.

Nixon's resignation cause

Release of tapes proved his involvement in the cover-up, leading to impeachment.

Watergate effects

Public trust in government declined, increased journalist influence, more oversight of the presidency.

Ford's pardon of Nixon

Argued the need to move forward to avoid a national trial.

Carter's election causes

Public trust issues after Watergate and his image as an honest outsider.

Late-1970s energy crisis causes

Dependence on foreign oil, OPEC actions, Middle East conflicts.

Carter's support for human rights

Emphasized human rights in foreign policy and criticized abuses abroad.

Collapse of détente reasons

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and renewed Cold War tensions.

Iran Hostage Crisis causes and effects

Militants seized U.S. embassy hostages, damaging Carter's popularity.