APUSH AMSCO Unit 8.8

explain the causes and effects of the Vietnam War

Ngo Dinh Diem

the leader of South Vietnam (divided at the 17th parallel); Ho Chi Minh lead North Vietnam

domino theory

if South Vietnam fell under Communist control, one nation after another would fall in Southeast Asia until Australia and New Zealand were in danger

John Foster Dulles

Secretary of State; established SEATO

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

the US, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan agreed to defend each other in case of attack

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

gave the president a blank check to do whatever necessary to protect US interests in Vietnam

General William Westmoreland

the commander of US forces in Vietnam

credibility gap

what the media called the misinformation from military and civilian leaders and Johnson’s lack of frankness to the public about the scope and cost of the war

hawks

supported the Vietnam War; saw the war as Soviet agression

doves

opposed the war; saw the war as a civil war between nationalists and some communists

Tet Offensive

the Vietcong attacked the South —> the US led a counterattack, leading to heavier losses on the Vietcong —> still demoralized the American public

Robert F. Kennedy

entered the presidential race and was assassinated in 1968 by a young Arab nationalist

George Wallace

ran for president as an Independent because he was against the two-party system

Richard Nixon

more confident/less negative than before; a hawk who ran on “peace with honor” and “law and order”

Democratic Convention in Chicago/Hubert Humphrey

the convention established that Humphrey had enough delegates to win the nomination

white backlash

people had enough of protests, violence, counterculture, drugs, and federal power

Henry Kissinger

Nixon’s national security advisor that helped him reduce Cold War tensions

Vietnamization

the gradual withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam after giving South Vietnam the tools needed to continue

Nixon Doctrine

Asian allies would receive US support but without the extensive use of US ground forces

Kent State

college protests against the invasion of Cambodia led to 4 killed here

My Lai

it was revealed the US troops had massacred women and children here in 1968

Pentagon Papers

a New York Times secret government study documenting the mistakes and deceptions in the Vietnam War

Paris Accords

promised a cease-fire and free elections in Vietnam

War Powers Act

required the president to report to Congress within 48 hours after taking military actions & requiring approval for any action lasting longer than 60 days