Quiz: Cold War - Vietnam & the United States

Quiz over everything from our Vietnam War unit.

Communism

A political system in which the government controls most aspects of life. Historically it has been accompanied by some other authoritarian or fascist system that acts as the controlling force in the government.

Veteran

A person who has served in the military, especially one who has fought in a war, such as the Vietnam War.

Battalion

A military unit typically composed of several hundred soldiers, majorly organized into companies and led by a lieutenant colonel.

Democratic

A political system characterized by free and fair elections, where citizens have the right to participate in their government.

Vietnam

A country in Southeast Asia that was the primary battleground of the Vietnam War.

Moon Bears

A species of bear found in Asia, known for their distinct crescent-shaped chest markings.

Mekong River

A major river in Southeast Asia that flows through several countries, including Vietnam, and is known for its importance in trade and agriculture.

Hanoi

The capital city of Vietnam, known for its historical significance and vibrant culture.

Cambodia

A Southeast Asian nation located south of Vietnam, known for its rich history. Was also a battle ground during the Vietnam War.

Monsoons

Seasonal winds in Southeast Asia that bring heavy rains, significantly impacting agriculture and weather patterns.

Fan Si Pan

The highest mountain in Vietnam, located in the northwest region near the border with China.

China

A large country in East Asia that was a major player in the Cold War, particularly in its support for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Gulf of Tonkin

The body of water off the northeastern coast of Vietnam, significant for the Gulf of Tonkin Incident which escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Ho Chi Minh

The leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, he was a key figure in the struggle for Vietnamese independence from French colonial rule and in the fight against U.S. involvement.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

A controversial military engagement in 1964 involving U.S. naval vessels and North Vietnamese forces, leading to increased American military action in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of supply routes used by North Vietnam to transport troops and materials to South Vietnam, bypassing the demilitarized zone.

Tet Offensive

A coordinated series of attacks by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on South Vietnamese cities and military bases in January 1968, significantly impacting public perception of the war in the U.S.

Opperation Rolling Thunder

A sustained bombing campaign conducted by the U.S. against North Vietnam from 1965 to 1968, aimed at weakening the North Vietnamese military and diminishing their ability to support the Viet Cong in South Vietnam.

Lyndon B. Johnson

The 36th president of the United States, who escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through policies such as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Richard Nixon

The 37th president of the United States, who implemented the policy of "Vietnamization" to withdraw U.S. troops from Vietnam and escalated bombing campaigns in neighboring countries.

Draft

A system for selecting individuals, typically young men, to serve in the military during a time of war. In the U.S., the draft was notably instituted during the Vietnam War to bolster troop numbers.

Red River

A significant waterway in Vietnam, crucial during the Vietnam War for transportation and military logistics.

Laos

A landlocked country in Southeast Asia that was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War as part of U.S. efforts to disrupt North Vietnamese supply routes known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Viet Cong

A communist-led guerrilla force in South Vietnam that fought against the U.S. and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War.

Defoliants

Chemical agents like Napalm and Agent Orange that were used to eliminate foliage, most famously used by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War to expose enemy positions.