Vietnam War and the Great Society

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture notes on the Vietnam War, LBJ's presidency, and related topics.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Resolution passed by the US Congress after alleged attacks on US Navy ships by North Vietnamese forces, leading to escalated American involvement in the Vietnam War.

Dien Bien Phu

Major battle in 1954 where Vietnamese forces defeated French colonial troops, leading to the end of French rule in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese revolutionary leader and politician, a key figure in the Vietnamese struggle for independence and the Vietnam War.

Vietnamization

US policy during the Vietnam War aimed at transferring military responsibilities to South Vietnam and reducing American involvement.

Indochina

Region in Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, formerly a French colonial territory.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of supply routes used by North Vietnam to transport troops and supplies to the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam.

Viet Cong

Communist-led guerrilla force in South Vietnam that fought against the United States and South Vietnamese government.

17th Parallel

Provisional military demarcation line that separated North and South Vietnam as part of the Geneva Accords in 1954.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The first president of South Vietnam, known for his authoritarian rule; served from 1955 until his assassination in 1963.

Geneva Accords

Peace talks in 1954 that led to the division of Vietnam along the 17th parallel and scheduled elections to reunify the country (which never happened).

Hippies

Members of a 1960s-70s countercultural movement known for rejecting mainstream values and embracing peace, love, and communal living.

Counter Culture

A cultural movement that rejects or opposes mainstream cultural norms and values.

Medicare

Federal health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage for people aged 65 and older.

Medicaid

Government health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage for low-income individuals and families.

The Great Society

Set of domestic programs and policies introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s to address poverty and inequality.

President Johnson (LBJ)

36th President of the United States (1963-1969), president during the Vietnam War and the architect of the Great Society.

Tet Offensive

A series of surprise attacks on cities and military bases throughout South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Agent Orange

Herbicide used by the United States military during the Vietnam War to deprive Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops of forest cover and food supplies.

Napalm

Flammable liquid used in bombs and flamethrowers, known for its ability to stick to targets and cause severe burns.

Walter Cronkite

Iconic American journalist and television news anchor, known as the 'most trusted man in America'.

General Westmoreland

United States Army general who served as the commander of US forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968.

Kent State University

Site of a tragic event on May 4, 1970, where National Guard troops fired into a crowd of unarmed students protesting the US invasion of Cambodia, killing 4 and wounding 9.

My Lai Massacre

Tragic incident in South Vietnam where American troops killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in the village of My Lai

Lt. Calley

Lieutenant William Calley Jr. was a United States Army officer convicted of murder for his role in the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War

Woodstock

Famous music festival held in 1969 in New York, known for its association with the counterculture movement and the Vietnam War

Tunnel System

An extensive network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War for combat, living quarters, supply routes, and communication