Vietnam War

French Indochina

A region colonized by France in the late 19th century, consisting of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Ho Chi Minh

A communist revolutionary leader who fought for Vietnamese independence from France and later for the unification of Vietnam under communism.

Vietcong

Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam who used unconventional warfare to support North Vietnam's reunification efforts.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

A resolution that granted President Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam following alleged (didn’t happen) attacks on U.S. naval vessels.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnam aimed at destroying infrastructure and weakening enemy morale.

Tet Offensive

A series of surprise attacks by North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces during the Vietnamese New Year, which shocked the American public.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy to gradually withdraw U.S. troops while transferring combat roles to South Vietnamese forces.

Kent State (1970)

An incident where National Guard troops opened fire on protesting students (doves?), resulting in four deaths.

Pentagon Papers

Leaked classified documents revealing government deception about the Vietnam War's progress and objectives.

Fall of Saigon (1975)

The event where North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would inevitably follow.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

A student organization that played a key role in anti-war protests and advocated for participatory democracy.

Civil Rights

A movement that was affected by the Vietnam War, as many minorities served in disproportionate numbers, diverting attention from domestic issues.

Christmas Bombing (1972)

A U.S. bombing campaign conducted over Christmas aimed at forcing North Vietnam back to peace talks.

Legacy of the War

The impact of the Vietnam War included veterans' challenges, unrest in Southeast Asia, and people starting to not trust the US government.

General Westmoreland

Commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam, known for advocating a strategy of attrition.

U.S. Strategies

Military tactics including heavy artillery, airstrikes, and search-and-destroy missions against Vietcong fighters.

Vietnamese Strategies

Guerrilla warfare tactics utilizing terrain advantages and local population support and booby traps.

Economic Burden

The war was costly, leading to increased government spending and inflation.

Protest Movement

A growing opposition to the war, especially among students and intellectuals, with 'Doves' advocating for peace and 'Hawks' supporting military action.