Vietnam War Summary

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the Vietnam War, including important figures, events, policies, and tactics.

Vietnam War

Conflict from 1954 to 1975 marked by the struggle against communism and significant U.S. military involvement.

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of the Viet Minh and key figure in the fight for Vietnamese independence from foreign rule.

17th Parallel

The line dividing North and South Vietnam established in 1954.

Geneva Accords

A peace agreement in 1954 that called for elections to unify Vietnam, which were later ignored by the U.S.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, others in the region would follow.

Viet Minh

A communist-led resistance movement in Vietnam against colonial rule.

Viet Cong (VC)

South Vietnamese guerrillas who fought against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.

Agent Orange

A herbicide used by U.S. forces to clear jungles that had devastating health effects.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnam from 1965 to 1968.

Tet Offensive

A major coordinated attack by North Vietnamese and VC forces in January 1968 that changed U.S. public perception of the war.

My Lai Massacre

The killing of hundreds of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers in March 1968.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy of withdrawing U.S. troops while transferring combat responsibilities to the South Vietnamese forces.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

1964 event that led to increased U.S. military involvement in Vietnam after alleged attacks on U.S. ships.

NVA (North Vietnamese Army)

The regular army of North Vietnam, fighting against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.

ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam)

The military force of South Vietnam that fought alongside the U.S. forces.

Lyndon B. Johnson

U.S. President who escalated American involvement in the Vietnam War.

Fragging

The act of U.S. soldiers killing or attempting to kill their own superior officers.

Saigon

The capital of South Vietnam, which fell to North Vietnamese forces in 1975.

Napalm

A flammable liquid used in incendiary bombs, causing widespread destruction during the war.