Vietnam: On the Road to Despair (Kennedy and Johnson) (Chapter 26 Kissinger)

American Exceptionalism

Belief in U.S. superiority and global role.

Kennedy's Inheritance

Kennedy inherited Vietnam conflict from previous administrations.

Guerrilla Warfare

Combat strategy focusing on small, mobile forces.

Nation-Building

Efforts to establish stable governments in foreign nations.

Johnson's Continuation

Johnson maintained Kennedy's Vietnam policies amidst opposition.

Crisis of Confidence

Doubts about U.S. ideals during Vietnam War.

Cold War Context

Vietnam seen as critical in U.S.-Soviet rivalry.

Domino Theory

Belief that Vietnam's fall would trigger regional collapses.

Universalist Foreign Policy

Focus on moral obligations over strategic interests.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Supply route for North Vietnam through Laos.

Ngo Dinh Diem

South Vietnamese leader overthrown in 1963.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

1964 event leading to U.S. military escalation.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Legislation granting Johnson military powers in Vietnam.

Gradual Escalation

Incremental increase in military involvement in Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Systematic bombing campaign against North Vietnam.

North Vietnam's Independence

North Vietnam pursued its own unification agenda.

Nationalist Motivations

Desire for Vietnamese unity, not global conspiracy.

U.S. Aid Challenges

Corruption and inefficiency undermined U.S. support efforts.

Vietcong Insurgency

Guerrilla warfare by South Vietnamese communists.

Military Dilemma

To escalate involvement or withdraw from Vietnam.

Critique of U.S. Policy

Criticism of simplistic views on Vietnam conflict.

Escalation Consequences

Prolonged conflict and rising costs for U.S.

Political Cohesion Issues

Lack of unity in South Vietnam hindered efforts.

Gradual Escalation

Johnson's strategy leading to open-ended commitment.

Tet Offensive

1968 event shifting U.S. public opinion against the war.

Psychological Victory

Tet Offensive's impact despite military defeat for communists.

San Antonio Formula

Negotiation attempt rejected by North Vietnam in 1967.

Intransigence

North Vietnam's refusal to compromise in negotiations.

Domestic Opposition

Growing anti-war sentiment influencing U.S. strategy reevaluation.

Walter Cronkite

Media figure whose criticism swayed public opinion.

Operation Rolling Thunder

1965 systematic bombing campaign against North Vietnam.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy for gradual withdrawal from Vietnam.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

1964 event leading to increased U.S. military involvement.

Counterinsurgency

Strategy focusing on combating guerrilla warfare.

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of North Vietnam advocating for communist unification.

Ngo Dinh Diem

South Vietnam leader overthrown in 1963 coup.

Robert McNamara

Secretary of Defense advocating gradual escalation.

U.S. Military Objectives

Goals aimed at defeating North Vietnam militarily.

Political Goals

Efforts to promote democracy in South Vietnam.

Public Opinion Shift

Change in American sentiment due to war events.

Johnson's Re-election Decision

His choice not to run reflected war strategy failure.

Guerrilla Warfare

Combat style used by North Vietnam and Vietcong.

Casualties Impact

Rising deaths influencing domestic opposition to the war.

Counterculture Movement

Social movement opposing the Vietnam War and promoting peace.

Diem's Assassination

1963 event marking a significant shift in U.S. involvement.

Ngo Dinh Diem

Leader of South Vietnam until 1963 overthrow.

Henry Cabot Lodge

U.S. Ambassador encouraging Diem's removal.

Maxwell Taylor

Kennedy's military adviser advocating defensive strategy.

Walter Cronkite

TV anchorman whose criticism swayed public opinion.

Kennedy's Inauguration (1961)

Inherited Vietnam crisis, emphasized counterinsurgency.

Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)

Failed invasion of Cuba, influenced Vietnam policy.

Diem's Overthrow (1963)

U.S.-supported coup leading to Diem's assassination.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964)

Alleged attack leading to Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Tet Offensive (1968)

Major offensive, psychological victory for North Vietnam.

Johnson's Decision Not to Run (1968)

Shift in U.S. strategy post-Tet Offensive.

Nation-Building

Kennedy's strategy to strengthen South Vietnam.

Gradual Escalation

McNamara's strategy to increase military involvement gradually.

Domino Theory

If Vietnam fell, others would follow to communism.

San Antonio Formula (1967)

Johnson's offer to halt bombing for negotiations.

National Security Council (NSC)

Key role in shaping U.S. Vietnam policy.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Involved in covert operations against Diem.

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

Countered communist expansion in Southeast Asia.

Kennedy's Inaugural Address (1961)

Emphasized U.S. commitment to global freedom.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)

Authorized military force in Vietnam without war declaration.

Johnson's San Antonio Speech (1967)

Offered bombing halt for productive negotiations.

Geneva Accords (1954)

Divided Vietnam at 17th Parallel, elections unheld.

SEATO Treaty (1954)

Established collective defense mechanism for Southeast Asia.

Guerrilla Warfare

Vietcong's strategy of hit-and-run tactics.

Public Opinion

Growing opposition to the war post-Tet Offensive.

Media Influence

Cronkite's criticism marked turning point in perception.

Domestic Unrest

Anti-war protests and rise of counterculture movement.

Tet Offensive

1968 attack that shifts U.S. public opinion against war.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy for gradual U.S. troop withdrawal.

First Indochina War

Conflict between Vietnam and France post-WWII.

Truman Doctrine

Policy aimed at containing communism globally.

Domino Theory

Belief that one country's fall to communism affects others.

Battle of Dien Bien Phu

1954 French defeat leading to end of colonial rule.

Geneva Accords

1954 agreement temporarily dividing Vietnam at 17th Parallel.

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

Alliance formed to counteract communism in Southeast Asia.

Ngo Dinh Diem

South Vietnam's leader who canceled unification elections.

National Liberation Front (NLF)

Coalition opposing Diem's regime in South Vietnam.

Viet Cong

South Vietnamese insurgents supported by North Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Supply route for North Vietnam to South Vietnam.

Buddhist Crisis

Protests against Diem's government in 1963.

John F. Kennedy

U.S. President who escalated Vietnam involvement.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

U.S. President supporting anti-communist efforts in Vietnam.

Cold War Geopolitics

Global political tension influencing U.S. actions in Vietnam.

U.S. Military Aid

Support provided to South Vietnam against communism.

Corruption and Repression

Issues leading to Diem's loss of support.

Counterinsurgency

Military strategy focusing on defeating insurgent groups.

Assassination of Diem

1963 coup backed by U.S. leading to instability.

Elections of 1956

Planned but never held due to opposition.

U.S. Recognition of Vietnam

1950 acknowledgment of French-backed State of Vietnam.

Insurgency Support

North Vietnam's backing of Viet Cong in South.