Final - Mao Zedong • Ho Chi Minh • Vietcong (tunnels) • Bay of Pigs • Cambodia • Space Race

Mao Zedong

A Chinese politician who founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and turned China into a communist state. He accelerated the fears in America that communism was rapidly expanding globally. The thought of China becoming communist meant that other countries around it would soon follow in its footsteps; it was seen as a domino theory that must be put to an end.

Ho Chi Minh

He was a Vietnamese politician who fought for independence from France and Japan for about half a century. He served as the communist president of North Vietnam from 1945 to his death in 1969.

Vietcong

These were communist guerrilla fighters and political organizers in South Vietnam who fought against the South Vietnamese and American Forces. They worked alongside and were supported by Ho Chi Minh and used elaborate underground tunnels to hide and store supplies, transport soldiers, and launch surprise attacks, making it very difficult for the US to fight against them.

Cambodia

As the war in Vietnam Intensified, the United States expanded its military operations into Cambodia in an effort to put an end to North Vietnam using the country as a route to transfer supplies to the Viet Cong in the south. The US hoped that by bombing Cambodia, it would buy them time to withdraw American troops from Vietnam.

Space Race

At the same time as Nixon s bombing of Cambodia, Cold War tensions were being played out through a race in technology, known as the Space Race. The United States and Soviet Union were competing to see who was the best in scientific and military efforts. They did so by launching satellites and astronauts into space.

Space Race and Cambodia

These two show a connection, though the US is competing against communist nations for global dominance

Conclusion

These interconnected events show how fear of communism turned the Cold War into a truly global conflict that shaped politics, warfare, and scientific advancement.