Review of LBJ and Vietnam War

Flashcards for vocabulary review

LBJ

The 36th President of the United States (1963-69), known for his “Great Society” programs and escalating U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Domino Theory

A Cold War belief that if one country fell to communism, countries nearby would do the same used to justify US involvement in Vietnam.

Geneva Accords

Agreements from the 1954 Geneva Conference that temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with plans for elections to unify the country.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The first President of South Vietnam whose authoritarian rule and suppression of opposition led to widespread unrest and his assassination.

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of North Vietnam and a key figure in the fight for Vietnamese independence and unification under communism. He served as president from 1945 until his death

North Vietnam

Officially the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, it was communist lead northern part of Vietnam from 1954 to 76

South Vietnam

Known as the republic of Vietnam, it was the anti-communist southern portion of Vietnam

Viet Cong

A communist guerrilla force in South Vietnam that fought against the South Vietnamese govt and US forces, supported by North Vietnam

National Liberation Front (NLF)

Political organization formed in 1960 in South Vietnam to overthrow the South Viet govt and reunify the country under communism

Silent Spring

Published 1962 book by Rachel Carson that exposed the dangers of pesticides, helping launch the modern environmental movement

SDS and Port Huron Statement

Student activist group that in 1962 issued the Port Huron statement calling for participatory democracy and criticizing racism, the cold war, and economic inequality

The Feminine Mystique

A 1963 book by Betty Friedan that challenged traditional roles for women and sparked the second wave of feminism by addressing “the problem that has no name.”

Griswold v. Connecticut

Supreme Court case that struck down a law banning birth control for married couples, establishing a constitutional right to privacy.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Alleged attack on U.S. Navy ships by North Vietnamese forces in August 1964, which President Johnson used to justify escalating U.S. involvement in Vietnam

Gulf of Tonkin

Passed by Congress in 1964, it gave President Johnson broad powers to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places, employment, and education.

Economic Opportunity Act of 1964

Created programs like Job Corps and Head Start to fight poverty through education, training, and community development.

Food Stamp Act of 1964

Food assistance program to help low-income Americans afford a basic diet

Great Society

Programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aiming to eliminate poverty and racial injustice, including initiatives in education, healthcare, and urban development

Malcolm X 1964

Malcolm X delivered his “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech, advocating for Black empowerment and the right to vote, emphasizing self-defense and civil rights

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Federal law providing significant funding to primary and secondary education, aiming to close the achievement gap between students by offering equal access to quality education.

Medicare Act of 1965

Legislation that established Medicare and Medicaid, providing health insurance to Americans aged 65 and older and to low-income individuals, respectively.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Law prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, enforcing the 15th Amendment, and eliminating barriers like literacy tests and poll taxes.

Executive Order 11246 of 1965

Required federal contractors to implement non-discriminatory hiring practices and affirmative action to promote equal employment opportunities.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Abolished the national origins quota system, establishing a new immigration policy based on reuniting immigrant families and attracting skilled labor to the US

Water and Air Quality Acts of 1965

Legislation aimed at improving environmental standards by regulating pollutants in water and air, marking a significant step in federal environmental protection efforts

National Arts and Humanities Act of 1965

Act establishing the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities to support artistic and scholarly endeavors in the US

Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965

Expanded federal housing programs, provided rent subsidies, and funded urban renewal projects, leading to the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development

Watts August 1965 Riots

Series of violent confrontations between the Los Angeles police and residents of Watts, a predominantly African American neighborhood, highlighting racial tensions and economic disparities

NOW founded

National Organization for Women (NOW) was established in 1966 to advocate for women’s rights and equality, focusing on issues like workplace discrimination and reproductive rights.

Black Panthers

Socialist organization founded in 1966 advocating for African American rights, known for monitoring police behavior and initiating community social programs.

The Draft

Military service used during the Vietnam War, leading to widespread protest and debate over its fairness and impact on American youth

The Living Room War

Term describing the Vietnam War’s extensive television coverage, bringing graphic images of the conflict into American homes and influencing public opinion.

Draft Card Burnings

Acts of protest where individuals publicly burned their draft registration cards to oppose the Vietnam War and conscription policies.

Hawks, Doves and Hippies

Different stances on the Vietnam War: “Hawks” supported the war, “Doves” opposed it, and “Hippies” were part of a counterculture movement advocating peace and love.

Miss America Protest

A 1968 feminist demonstration against the Miss America pageant, criticizing it for promoting unrealistic beauty standards and objectifying women.

Stokely Carmichael 1968

Civil rights activist who popularized the term “Black Power” and became a prominent figure in the Black Panther Party, advocating for racial pride and self-determination

Weathermen

Radical left-wing group that emerged from the Students for a Democratic Society, known for advocating violent protest against the U.S. government during the Vietnam War era.

My Lai Massacre

1968 incident where U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, leading to global outrage and increased anti-war sentiment

Tet Offensive

Major 1968 campaign by North Vietnamese forces against South Vietnam and U.S. troops, significantly shifting American public opinion against the Vietnam War.

Orangeburg Massacre

1968 event where police opened fire on protesters at South Carolina State University, resulting in the deaths of three African American students.

MLK Assassination & Following Riots

Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 led to nationwide riots and mourning, highlighting racial tensions in the US

1968 Democratic Convention Protests

Massive anti-war and civil rights protests during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, met with a violent police crackdown

Olympic Protests – Smith & Carlos

During the 1968 Olympics, athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists during the medal ceremony to protest racial injustice

Muhammad Ali Draft Resistance

Boxer Muhammad Ali refused induction into the U.S. Army in 1967, citing religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War, leading to his boxing license being suspended

Haight Ashbury/Summer of Love

A gathering of thousands promoting peace, music, and counterculture ideals

American Indian Movement Founded

Established in 1968, AIM advocated for Native American rights, focusing on issues like treaty rights, sovereignty, and police harassment

Dolores Huerta and Grape Strike

Labor leader Dolores Huerta co-led the 1965 Delano grape strike, advocating for better wages and working conditions for farmworkers

Cesar Chavez and Grape Strike

Cesar Chavez co-founded the United Farm Workers and played a key role in the 1965 grape strike, using nonviolent tactics to fight for labor rights

Stonewall Riot

1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, marking a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement

Apollo 11 Moon Landing

In 1969, NASA’s Apollo 11 mission successfully landed the first humans on the Moon, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin taking historic steps

Woodstock

1969 music festival in New York that became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement, promoting peace, music, and unity.

Occupation of Alcatraz

1969 to 1971, Native American activists occupied Alcatraz Island to protest federal policies and advocate for indigenous rights.

Kent State Shootings

In 1970, National Guardsmen fired on anti-war protesters at Kent State University, killing four students and intensifying national unrest.

The Wonder Years

Television show that aired from 1988 to 1993, depicting a young boy’s coming-of-age experiences in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reflecting on the era’s cultural and political changes

How did US actions in Vietnam create unintended consequences?

US actions and involvement in Vietnam created several unintended consequences, including escalating the conflict, damaging both the US international and national image, and creating division between Americans.