AH Final Voacb 2026

Bay of Pigs

Castro became communist and US worried about a USSR ally so close to US. Attempted a coup on Cuba but failed. JFK is to blame for failure due to lack of backup

Fidel Castro

Lead rebellion in Cuba and overthrew dictator. Became communist leader in Cuba

Cuban Missile Crisis

US spotted USSR nuclear missiles in Cuba. Ended when US agreed to remove missiles from Turkey and USSR remove missiles from Cuba

Nikita Khrushchev

USSR leader

John Kennedy

US president who was assassinated. Presidency was seen as “Camelot” because it was seen as magical

Lee Harvey Oswald

Assassinated JFK from window, acted alone. Psychopath who attempted muden before JFK too

Jack Ruby

Killed Lee Harvey Oswald in police station. Part of Mafia but acted alone

Zapruder Film

Only known film of JKF assassination

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese nationalist communist who fought for independence from Japan after WWII. Then served as president of North Vietnam

Ngo Dinh Minh

South Vietnam leader supported by US, catholic

Domino Theory

The idea that if Vietnam fell to communism then the rest of Southeast Asia would too

Vietcong

Group of South Vietnamese rebels who used guerrilla warfare against South

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Attack on US warships from North Vietnam. Gave US ability to start war

Agent Orange

Herbicide used by US military during Vietnam to eliminate jungle cover. Later discovered it caused cancer, miscarriages, and birthdefects

Napalm

Jellied gasoline dropped in canisters that explode on impact and cover large areas in flames, dropped by US planes in Vietnam

Split-Screen Culture

US government says war is going well and we are winning but soldiers continue to die and more are sent out

Hawk

People who support Vietnam War

Dove

People who oppose Vietnam War

Draft

A random selection of men from ages 18-25 to join the US military

Credibility Gap

The difference between what a politician say and what evidence says

Tet Offensive

Vietcong surprise attack on US killing many. Causes Lyndon B Johnson to step out of reelection

Vietnamization

Nixon’s plan to gradually withdrawal troops from Vietnam and allow South Vietnam to fight

Kent State

National guard was sent to this college in Ohio to control protests. Ended up shooting 61-67 shots killing 4 and wounding 9

Pentagon Papers

Classified US government investigation that revealed US politicians were involved in Vietnam without fully informing citizens

Paris Peace Accords

Agreement to end Vietnam War in January 1973. Ceasefire, withdrawal of US troops, and return of prisoners

War Powers Act

Restricted President’s war making powers, required him to consult Congress within 48 hours

Fall of Berlin Wall

Opened the wall dividing West Berlin and communist east Berlin. Considered the beginning of the end of the Cold War

German Unification

Unification of communist east Germany and west Germany

Columbine Shooting

First major shooting in schools. Attempted to bomb the school but failed. Two students killed 13 people and then themselves