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What does the Domino Theory refer to?

If one country falls to communism, others will follow.

Who was Ngo Dinh Diem?

An anti-communist dictator selected by France, who promised free elections but never held them.

What event was used as justification to increase troop numbers in Vietnam?

The Tonkin Gulf Incident.

What was the Tet Offensive?

A well-coordinated series of attacks by the Viet Cong across South Vietnam that hurt American confidence in the war.

What was the My Lai Massacre?

The brutal murder of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians, highlighting the dehumanization of the Vietnamese.

What significant events occurred in 1968 related to the Vietnam War?

Assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., realization that the war could not be won, and intensified protests.

What was the role of counter-arguments regarding the Vietnam War?

Some argued America could have won if allowed to invade North Vietnam, but the perception changed due to the inability to win.

What does the Vietnam War Memorial symbolize?

A tribute paid for by families of the lost soldiers, reflecting the death toll in order.

How does 'Apocalypse Now' reflect rationality and irrationality?

Through alternating light and dark imagery depicting Kurtz's shifting rational and irrational states.

What does the river journey in 'Apocalypse Now' symbolize?

A journey back to primitive society and the unconscious mind's deep irrational drives.

How does Lance represent innocence in 'Apocalypse Now'?

He is a drugged character embodying childlike innocence and detachment.

What duality does Kurtz struggle with in 'Apocalypse Now'?

The balance between being a passionate human and a savage killer.

What does Kurtz's quote about clarity of mind and madness reflect?

The divide between rational decision-making and the madness induced by war.

What is the law of the jungle depicted in 'Apocalypse Now'?

A survival of the fittest mentality: kill or be killed.

What is ironic about O’Brien being hesitant to go to war?

He considers himself a coward for going to the war despite his queasiness with blood.

How does the old man save the narrator in 'On the Rainy River'?

By providing a reflective presence without asking questions.

What psychological conflict does O’Brien experience about the war?

He hallucinates past figures while contemplating whether to escape to Canada or to fight.

How does Caputo describe the disillusionment of soldiers in 'A Rumor of War'?

He reflects on their loss of idealism due to the war's brutal and ambiguous nature.

What is meant by 'manic ecstasy' in the context of soldiers' experiences?

The emotional release soldiers felt during combat, blending joy and chaos.

How did America's view of the Vietnam War evolve over time?

Many Americans became skeptical of the war’s purpose and morality despite ongoing military involvement.

What characterizes the Vietnam War's conflict style?

Confusing guerrilla warfare without clear battles or victories.

What is implied by 'young shoulders, old heads'?

Soldiers returned home emotionally aged and traumatized beyond their years.

What theories try to explain American soldiers' actions during the Vietnam War?

Racist theory and frontier-heritage theory, though Caputo argues they oversimplify human psychology under stress.