Vietnam War

Why did we listen to anti-war songs in class?

To see how people expressed their feelings about the war at the time.

Which nation controlled Vietnam before the war? Who was the nationalist leader?

France; Ho Chi Minh.

What formally ended Vietnam’s war with France?

The Geneva Accords.

What was the purpose of the War Powers Act?

To limit the president’s power to send troops into combat without congressional approval.

Which president adopted Vietnamization? Why?

Richard Nixon; to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and let South Vietnam take over the fighting.

What did the Pentagon Papers reveal? Who was president?

That the government had misled the public about the war; Richard Nixon was president.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution? Who asked for it?

It gave the president power to take military action in Vietnam; President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Why didn’t Johnson run in 1968?

He lost public support and faced strong opposition due to the Vietnam War.

What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

A supply route used by North Vietnam to transport weapons and troops through Laos and Cambodia.

What did Doves believe? Hawks? Which presidents did they support?

Doves opposed the war (supported by JFK and Johnson early); Hawks supported it (Nixon, Johnson).

Who was Secretary of Defense before and during Vietnam?

Robert McNamara.

Who wanted Vietnam reunified in the 1970s? Democratic or communist?

North Vietnam; communist.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution? Who was president?

It allowed military force without declaring war; President Johnson.

What was the domino theory? Which president coined it?

The idea that if one country fell to communism, others would follow; President Eisenhower.

What event led to escalation of U.S. presence in Vietnam?

The Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution.

What did the Geneva Accords state?

Vietnam would be divided at the 17th parallel; elections would be held to unify the country.

What country did Ngo Dinh Diem control? What happened to him?

South Vietnam; he was overthrown and assassinated in a coup.

What was Kennedy’s Vietnam policy? Why support Diem?

To prevent communism; he saw Diem as a barrier against communism despite his flaws.

Why did Americans question the draft?

It was seen as unfair, targeting poor and minority groups.

Who were conscientious objectors?

People who refused to fight due to moral or religious reasons.

What was the Tet Offensive?

A major surprise attack by the Viet Cong that shifted U.S. public opinion.

Why did the Viet Cong fight the South? What strategy did they use?

To reunify Vietnam under communism; guerrilla warfare.

When did the war end? Terms of the peace treaty? Legacy?

1975; U.S. withdrawal and prisoner release; deep distrust in government and PTSD in veterans.

Why was TV important during the war?

It brought graphic images home, turning public opinion against the war.

What made it hard for U.S. soldiers to fight?

Unfamiliar terrain, guerrilla tactics, unclear enemy.

Put in order: Tonkin Gulf Resolution, Vietnamization, War Powers Act, Invasion of Cambodia.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution → Vietnamization → Invasion of Cambodia → War Powers Act.

About how many Americans were killed in Vietnam?

Approximately 58,000.

Purpose of body count in war?

To measure success, though it was often inaccurate.

Why did U.S. invade Cambodia? Result?

To attack Viet Cong bases; led to protests and escalation of war.

What happened at Kent State?

National Guard shot and killed 4 student protesters.

Did South Vietnamese appreciate U.S. efforts? Why/why not?

Some did, but many didn’t due to cultural differences and civilian casualties.