Vietnam war

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, influenced by the draft during the Vietnam War. "Old enough to fight, Old enough to vote"

Agent Orange

A toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military to destroy jungle cover. It caused severe health issues for soldiers and civilians exposed to it.

Anti-War Movement

Public protests against the Vietnam War, led by students, veterans, and civil rights activists.

Clay v. United States

Supreme Court case that overturned Muhammad Ali's draft evasion conviction based on his religious beliefs.

Containment

U.S. Cold War policy of preventing the spread of communism.

Counter Culture

Youth movement of the 1960s-70s rejecting traditional values, associated with peace, music, and rebellion. They were called hippies.

Credibility Gap

Public distrust of government statements about the Vietnam War. After the Tet Offensive, the media began reporting loses when President Johnson said the U.S. was winning.

Diem

South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem, supported by the U.S. but unpopular at home. He was assassinated during a military coup in 1963.

Domino Theory

Belief that if one country fell to communism, others in the region would follow.

Doves

Americans who opposed the Vietnam War and supported peace efforts. They believed it was a civil war the U.S. should not be involved in.

Draft

System requiring men to serve in the military. It was highly controversial during the Vietnam War. The draft was initiated with the Selective Service Act.

Eisenhower Doctrine

U.S. policy pledging military aid to Middle Eastern countries resisting communism. It was part of the policy of containment.

Fall of Saigon

1975 event marking the end of the Vietnam War when North Vietnam captured South Vietnam's capital, Saigon.

Geneva Accords

1954 agreement dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel and calling for future elections. It created North (communist) and South Vietnam (democratic).

Guerilla Warfare

Fighting style involving small groups using surprise attacks and mobility over traditional combat. Often popping out of the jungle or civilian populations, conducting attacks, and then running.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Alleged 1964 attack on U.S. ships by North Vietnam. It led to increased U.S. involvement when President Johnson lied to Congress about the attack, resulting in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Congress gave President Johnson authority to take military action in Vietnam without a formal war declaration, in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Hawks

Americans who supported U.S. military involvement in Vietnam and the policy of containment.

Henry Kissinger

Nixon's National Security Advisor and Secretary of State who helped negotiate the end of U.S. involvement. He played an important role in implementing Vietnamization.

Ho Chi Minh

Communist leader of North Vietnam and the Viet Minh independence movement.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Network of supply routes used by North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia to support the Vietcong. It was used to go around enemy lines and enter South Vietnam to aid the Vietcong.

Indochina

Southeast Asian region including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It was colonized by France before WWII.

Invasion of Cambodia

1970 expansion of the Vietnam War by Nixon into neighboring Cambodia, sparking more anti-war protests.

Kent State University Shooting

1970 incident where National Guard troops killed four student protestors at Kent State University. They were protesting Nixon's escalation of the Vietnam War and the invasion of Cambodia.

Lyndon B. Johnson

U.S. President who escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War after the Gulf of Tonkin incident. He was the first president to send in ground troops.

Napalm

Flammable chemical weapon used by the U.S. to clear jungles; caused severe burns and civilian casualties.

Nationalist Cause

North Vietnamese desire to unify Vietnam under one government and end foreign interference.

North Vietnam

Communist nation led by Ho Chi Minh during the Vietnam War.

Pentagon Papers

Secret government documents leaked in 1971 revealing U.S. Presidents misled the public about the ability to be successful in Vietnam.

Richard Nixon

U.S. President who introduced Vietnamization, escalated bombings of North Vietnam, invaded Cambodia, and eventually ended U.S. involvement in the war.

Robert Kennedy

U.S. Senator and anti-war presidential candidate. He was assassinated in 1968 during the presidential campaign.

Roy Benavidez

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for heroism in rescuing fellow soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Selective Service Act

Law authorizing the draft. It required men to register for military service.

Silent Majority

Term used by Nixon for Americans who supported the war but did not protest publicly.

South Vietnam

U.S.-backed, anti-communist government during the Vietnam War.

TET Offensive

Major 1968 surprise attack by the Vietcong and North Vietnam, capturing much of South Vietnam.

The Draft

Common term for the Selective Service system; sparked widespread resistance during Vietnam.

Tinker v. Des Moines

1969 Supreme Court case that protected students' rights to protest with symbolic speech.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to provide aid to nations resisting communism, starting with Greece and Turkey.

Viet Minh

Communist-led group fighting for Vietnamese independence from France.

Vietcong (Viet Cong)

Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam supported by North Vietnam.

Vietnam War

Conflict between communist North Vietnam and U.S.-backed South Vietnam from 1955 to 1975.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and transfer combat duties to South Vietnamese forces.

War Powers Resolution

1973 law limiting the president's ability to send troops into combat without Congressional approval.

Woodstock

1969 music festival symbolizing the counterculture movement and anti-war sentiment.