Vocab + Dates + People VW

Vietnam War

A conflict between North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (non-communist), lasting from 1955 to 1975.

Lyndon B. Johnson

U.S. President from 1963 to 1973, known for escalating the Vietnam War and creating the Great Society.

Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Vietcong (VC)

Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam who opposed U.S. and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

Detente

A period of eased tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War, primarily from 1969 to 1979.

Kent State Massacre

May 4, 1970 event where National Guard troops killed four students during an anti-Vietnam War protest.

Medicaid

Federal program initiated in 1965 that provides health insurance for low-income individuals and families.

Medicare

Federal program started in 1965 providing health insurance for people aged 65 and older.

Miranda v. Arizona

1966 Supreme Court ruling requiring police to inform suspects of their rights while in custody.

New York Times Company v. United States

1971 Supreme Court case that affirmed the press's right to publish the Pentagon Papers.

Pentagon Papers

Leaked documents in 1971 revealing government misleading about the Vietnam War's progress.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 legislation giving President Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam without Congress.

Escalation

The increase in U.S. troop presence in Vietnam, reaching over 500,000 by 1969.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one Southeast Asian country fell to communism, others would follow.

Draft

Mandatory military service used during the Vietnam War, leading to widespread protests.

26th Amendment

1971 amendment that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Hawks

Supporters of the Vietnam War who advocated for military action against North Vietnam.

Doves

Critics of the Vietnam War who called for withdrawal and peace negotiations.

Tet Offensive

A significant 1968 military campaign by North Vietnam that eroded U.S. public support for the war.

Anti-War Movement

A movement in the 1960s and 1970s opposing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Credibility Gap

The disparity between government claims about the Vietnam War and media reports.

Silent Majority

Term coined by Nixon to describe Americans who supported the Vietnam War but were not vocal.

Vietnamization

Nixon’s strategy for gradually withdrawing U.S. forces from Vietnam.

War Powers Act

1973 law that limited presidential power to send U.S. forces into combat without Congressional approval.

Roy Benavidez

Medal of Honor recipient for heroism during the Vietnam War.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed 1961 attempt to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba, nearly leading to nuclear war.

Berlin Wall

A barrier built in 1961 to divide East and West Berlin.

New Frontier

JFK's domestic program focused on social issues and space exploration.

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the U.S. space program.

Tinker v. Des Moines

1969 Supreme Court case that protected students’ rights to protest the Vietnam War.

Guerilla Warfare

Irregular warfare where smaller groups use surprise tactics to combat a stronger foe.