Vietnam War POWs and Anti-War Movement

These flashcards cover significant terms and concepts related to the Vietnam War, focusing on POWs, the anti-war movement, and key events.

POWs

U.S. prisoners captured by North Vietnam or the Viet Cong, often subjected to torture, isolation, and propaganda exploitation.

Hanoi Hilton

Nickname for Hỏa Lò Prison in Hanoi where many U.S. POWs were held.

Hỏa Lò

French-built prison used by North Vietnam to detain American POWs.

The Zoo

A secondary North Vietnamese POW camp, originally a French zoo compound.

John McCain

Navy pilot shot down in 1967; tortured while a POW in Hanoi Hilton.

Code of Conduct

Guidelines for POW behavior; instructs resistance, limited disclosure, and unity.

Article V of the Code of Conduct

POWs must give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth.

Admiral James Stockdale

Senior Navy POW who led resistance efforts and helped maintain prisoner morale.

Crapaudine

Torture position that twisted limbs behind the body like a toad.

Operation Homecoming (1973)

Repatriation of 591 American POWs after the Paris Peace Accords.

SDS (Students for a Democratic Society)

Major student anti-war organization.

Port Huron Statement

SDS manifesto calling for participatory democracy and criticizing Cold War policy.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy of transferring combat roles to South Vietnam.

My Lai massacre

U.S. troops massacred hundreds of civilians in 1968.

Kent State incident

National Guard shot and killed 4 protesters in 1970.

Weather Underground

Radical anti-war group that conducted domestic bombings.

Pentagon Papers

Classified documents revealing government deception.

Operation Frequent Wind

Final helicopter evacuation of Saigon on April 29–30, 1975.

Dubbed the ‘Cuban Program’

Brutal interrogations of POWs conducted by Cuban handlers in NVN camps.

Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW)

Anti-war group formed by veterans to oppose U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Jane Fonda

Actress who became a prominent anti-war activist.