History - the cold war/vietman things i dont know

28.2 - The cold war 

Origins of the Cold War:

• The Cold War began after the end of World War II. These two nations had starkly different ideologies: the U.S. was a democratic, capitalist nation, while the Soviet Union was a communist, authoritarian state. Both countries viewed the other’s ideology as a threat to their way of life, and it led to a political and military standoff. While both countries cooperated during WWII to defeat the Axis powers, their alliance quickly unraveled as their interests in post-war Europe and the world diverged. The U.S. sought to promote democracy and open markets, while the Soviets aimed to spread communism and establish pro-Soviet governments across Eastern Europe.

Major Conflicts and Proxy Wars:

• Instead of fighting each other directly, the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in a series of proxy wars where they supported opposing sides in regional conflicts. Notable examples are:

  • The Korean War (1950-1953), where the U.S. and its allies fought to prevent the spread of communism in South Korea, while the Soviet Union and China supported communist North Korea.

  • The Vietnam War (1955-1975), where the U.S. intervened to prevent the spread of communism in South Vietnam, while the Soviet Union and China supported the communist North.

• These conflicts, while not directly involving the U.S. and Soviet Union, were heavily influenced by their rivalry, and contributed to tensions throughout the Cold War era.

The Nuclear Arms Race - A major element of the Cold War was the nuclear arms race, where both superpowers built massive stockpiles of nuclear weapons. The development of hydrogen bombs and long-range missiles led to the threat of mutually assured destruction, meaning that a nuclear war would likely lead to the annihilation of both sides. The fear of nuclear war was ever-present, but the arms race also created a policy of deterrence, where the sheer number of nuclear weapons held by each side made them wary of initiating a full-scale war, as it could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Space Race and Cultural Tensions - The U.S. and the Soviet Union competed to achieve major milestones in space exploration. The Soviet Union’s successful launch of Sputnik in 1957 marked the beginning of the Space Race, and the U.S. responded by landing the first man on the moon in 1969. Both countries also used propaganda to promote their ideologies as superior. The U.S. portrayed itself as the defender of freedom and democracy, while the Soviet Union presented itself as the champion of workers' rights and equality. This ideological battle was played out in media, speeches, and international relations.

28.5 - The african american struggle for Civil Rights 

• Early Struggles and Segregation: After the end of slavery, African Americans in the South faced Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in all aspects of life, from schools to public facilities. Despite the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments (which aimed to secure rights for African Americans), disenfranchisement, segregation, and violence (especially from groups like the Ku Klux Klan) kept many African Americans oppressed.

• Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s): The movement gained significant momentum in the 1950s and 1960s, with key events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest, and the March on Washington (1963), where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. These events, along with numerous peaceful protests and sit-ins, aimed to challenge and dismantle segregation and discrimination.

• Leadership and Nonviolence: Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X (though with differing approaches) were instrumental in the fight for civil rights. King, in particular, advocated for nonviolent resistance, drawing on Gandhi's methods of peaceful protest. His leadership helped unite a broad range of African Americans and sympathetic white Americans in the struggle for racial equality.

• Legislative Achievements: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a monumental victory, as it outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and ended segregation in public places. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 also ensured federal protection of voting rights, especially in the South, where voter suppression was widespread. These laws were critical steps toward dismantling institutional racism.

Ongoing Struggle: Despite these successes, the struggle for civil rights continued into the 1970s and beyond, as issues like economic inequality, police brutality, and racial discrimination persisted. The civil rights movement set the stage for future generations to continue fighting for full equality.

30.3 -The  downward spiral

• Escalation of U.S. Involvement-  Initially, the U.S. involvement in Vietnam was limited to advisors and military aid to the South Vietnamese government. However, after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, where North Vietnamese forces allegedly attacked U.S. ships, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed for increased military action, leading to the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave him broad powers to escalate the war. As a result, U.S. troop levels surged, and the United States became more directly involved in combat operations. By 1965, the U.S. had committed to large-scale ground combat operations, marking a dramatic shift from advisory roles to direct military confrontation. At its peak, more than half a million U.S. troops were stationed in Vietnam.

• Tactics and Challenges: The conflict was marked by guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Viet Cong (the communist forces in South Vietnam) and North Vietnamese Army (NVA), which made it difficult for the conventional U.S. military to achieve decisive victories. The enemy's use of booby traps, tunnels, and hit-and-run attacks challenged U.S. forces, who were fighting in unfamiliar terrain and facing a highly motivated enemy. U.S. forces relied on heavy airstrikes and chemical defoliants like Agent Orange to destroy enemy hideouts and supplies, but this led to significant civilian casualties and environmental damage. The Tet Offensive of 1968, where North Vietnamese forces launched surprise attacks on South Vietnamese cities, was a major turning point. Though it was technically a military defeat for the North, the offensive shook American public confidence in the war effort.

• The Impact of the War: As the war dragged on, the costs in terms of lives and resources became more apparent. Thousands of U.S. soldiers were killed, and many others returned home with severe physical and psychological trauma. The increasing casualty rate, along with the perceived lack of progress, caused growing dissatisfaction among the American public. By the late 1960s, anti-war protests became widespread, with millions of Americans voicing their opposition to the war. The media played a significant role in shaping public opinion by broadcasting graphic images and reports from the front lines, bringing the brutal realities of the war into American homes. This eroded public support for the war and led to increasing political pressure on the government to end U.S. involvement.

30.4 - Nixions domestic nightmare 

The Break-in- In June 1972, five men broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. They were caught trying to wiretap phones and steal documents to help Nixon's re-election campaign. Although Nixon initially denied involvement, it was later revealed that people close to him were behind the break-in.

Cover-up 0 After the break-in, Nixon and his staff tried to cover up the incident. They used the CIA to stop the FBI’s investigation and destroyed evidence to hide their actions. This cover-up led to more investigations.

Investigations and Resignation: - Journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of the Washington Post played a key role in uncovering the truth, with help from an anonymous source known as "Deep Throat". The Senate Watergate Committee and a special prosecutor revealed that Nixon had ordered the cover-up. As evidence mounted, it was clear that Nixon had abused his power. Facing likely impeachment, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, becoming the first U.S. president to do so.

Carson: The Unfinished Dialogue

• Rachel Carson was a pioneering environmentalist whose work, especially Silent Spring, brought widespread attention to the dangers of pesticides and their harmful effects on ecosystems.

• In "The Unfinished Dialogue", Carson expands on her environmental philosophy, advocating for a deeper, more respectful relationship between humans and nature.

• Carson argues that humanity must recognize the interconnectedness of all living things and that human actions—especially chemicals—disrupt this balance. She stresses that science, while valuable, should be used in harmony with nature, not in opposition to it.

• The "unfinished dialogue" refers to the ongoing conversation between humanity and the natural world. Carson encourages readers to actively engage with and reflect on their relationship with nature, making it a moral responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

RFK: MLK Assassination Speech

• Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) delivered this emotional speech in Indianapolis on the evening of April 4, 1968, after hearing of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. RFK, running for president at the time, had a unique connection with King, having worked together on civil rights issues.

• In his speech, RFK broke the tragic news to a crowd of mostly African American citizens, many of whom were understandably angry and distraught. He called for calm and urged the crowd not to resort to violence in the wake of King's death.

• RFK invoked the memory of his brother, President John F. Kennedy, who had also been assassinated five years earlier, and he appealed to the audience to honor Dr. King's legacy by embracing nonviolence and continuing the struggle for justice.

• This speech is often remembered for its emotional depth and call for unity in a time of national grief, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and U.S. history.

Marlantes: The War That Killed Trust

• Karl Marlantes, a Vietnam War veteran, wrote What It Is Like to Go to War, where he reflects on his own experiences and the broader psychological impacts of war.

• In "The War That Killed Trust", Marlantes addresses how the Vietnam War shattered the trust between soldiers and their leaders, and between soldiers and the American public.

• He writes about the feelings of betrayal many veterans felt, as they were sent into an unpopular and controversial war with little support from the government or society. The moral ambiguity and the horrors of war made it difficult for soldiers to believe in the mission or the people leading them.

• Marlantes discusses the emotional and psychological scars left by the war, not just in soldiers, but in the relationships they had when they returned home. His work explores the personal and societal costs of war and questions the ability to heal after such betrayal.

Nguyen: Nothing Ever Dies

• Viet Thanh Nguyen, an acclaimed novelist and scholar, explores the lasting impacts of the Vietnam War on both the U.S. and Vietnam in his book Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War.

• Nguyen examines how the war continues to shape the identities of both the Vietnamese people and American veterans. He highlights the long-lasting effects of trauma, memory, and narrative, arguing that the war’s legacy persists in how history is remembered and told.

• He explores how different groups construct and contest the memory of the war, particularly through literature, film, and political discourse. In doing so, he shows how war narratives are often shaped by power, and how stories of suffering and sacrifice are marginalized or forgotten.

• Nguyen suggests that the process of remembering war is never complete; it’s an ongoing negotiation between different groups, histories, and experiences

Vietnam Song" by Country Joe and the Fish i

protest song from the 1960s that criticizes the Vietnam War. The song uses sarcasm to mock the government's justification for the war, highlighting the idea that soldiers were being sent to fight and die for a cause that many didn't believe in. It reflects the frustration of young people who were being drafted into a war they didn't support. Overall, the song became a powerful anthem for those against the war and a symbol of the generational divide and anti-war sentiment of the time.

Merle Haggard's song "Okie from Muskogee

released in 1969, reflects the cultural divide in America during the 1960s. The song is about a person from Muskogee, Oklahoma, representing traditional American values. It contrasts these values with the more rebellious counterculture of the time, which included anti-Vietnam War protests and drug use. Haggard sings about how people in Muskogee don’t smoke marijuana, protest, or burn their draft cards, highlighting their patriotic and conservative beliefs. The song became popular as a symbol of support for traditional values, but some interpret it as Haggard satirizing the rigid mindset of small-town America. It remains a well-known country song, representing the political and cultural tensions of the era.

Korean War

• (1950-1953) 

• began with North Korea's invasion of South Korea, 

• sparked a UN-led intervention, primarily by the United States, to defend South Korea and ultimately resulted in a stalemate and the division of Korea along the 38th parallel. 

• View it as a communist aggression and a threat to the containment of communism.

Bay of Pigs

• was a failed 1961 US-backed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro’s government by a group of Cuban exiles

• This resulted in major foreign policy embarrassment for the US and strengthened Castro's regime

Dien Bien Phu

• The Battle of Dien Bien Phu,

• a Vietnamese victory in May 1954

•  marked the end of French colonial rule in Indochina and the beginning of the Vietnam War

• led to the partition of Vietnam and the rise of communist forces in the North

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

• August 1964, involving alleged attacks on U.S. Navy destroyers by North Vietnamese torpedo boats, catalyzed the significant escalation of U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and a bigger conflict.

ARVN

• Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the ground forces of South Vietnam, which existed from 1955 to the Fall of Saigon in 1975.

• the main fighting force of South Vietnam

• trained and supported by the United States

• tasked with defending the nation and engaging in combat operations

Vietcong

• The Viet Cong (VC), or Liberation Army of South Vietnam

• communist-led guerrilla force in South Vietnam that fought against the South Vietnamese government and the United States during the Vietnam War, aiming for the reunification of Vietnam

NLF

• The National Liberation Front (NLF), also known as the Viet Cong 

• South Vietnamese resistance movement formed in 1960, to overthrow the South Vietnamese government and unify Vietnam under communist rule, 

• played a crucial role in the Vietnam War

Woodstock

• The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, held in August 1969 in Bethel, New York, became a defining moment of the 1960s counterculture, 

• attracting an estimated 400,000 people to a dairy farm for three days of music, peace, and love

Vietnamization

• key US strategy during the Vietnam War

• involved the gradual withdrawal of American troops while simultaneously increasing South Vietnamese military capabilities to take on the burden of combat, aiming for an "honorable" end to the conflict

• Gradually shifting the responsibility of fighting to the South Vietnamese

• Building up ARVN capabilities

• 1969 - nixon - Vietnamization is building the South Vietnam army and will withdraw and they will be able to support themselves and at least end the war at a stalemate

Little Rock Nine

• nine African American students, faced immense resistance and harassment as they integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957

• pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement after the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education

Freedom Riders

•  a group of civil rights activists who, in 1961, rode interstate buses into the segregated South to challenge the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions against segregation on interstate travel, facing violence and ultimately sparking federal action to desegregate public transportation

Operation Northwoods

• a plan from the US Department of Defense in 1962. It suggested that the CIA carry out terrorist acts on American targets, make it look like Cuba was responsible, and use this as a reason to start a war with Cuba. Ideas included hijacking planes, faking a plane shootdown, killing Cuban immigrants, sinking refugee boats in the sea, blowing up a U.S. ship, and causing violence in U.S. cities. President John F. Kennedy rejected the plan.

The cold war

• 1945-1952

1.  Containment of communism 

   1. Marshall plan 

      1. By 1946, the American economy was growing. At the same time, the economic situation in Europe was disastrous. The war had turned much of Western Europe into a battlefield, and the rebuilding of factories, public transportation systems, and power stations progressed slowly. Starvation was a possibility for many. As a result of these conditions, Communism was making significant inroads in both Italy and France.These concerns led Truman, along with Secretary of State George C. Marshall, to propose to Congress the European Recovery Program, popularly known as the Marshall Plan. Between its implementation in April 1948 and its termination in 1951, this program gave $13 billion in economic aid to European nations.

2. Development of NATO

   1. If Russia enters a NATO nation, NATO countries can fight Russia. 

3. Economic influence and global trade

   1. IMF world bank 

4. Support for anti-communist govt

   1. Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Latin America, Afghanistan 

• After WWII, the us intruded on the interstate highway system

• Urban planning/highways

Truman

• 33rd president of the United States

  • The Truman Doctrine (1947)

    • Following the end of World War II, Truman recognized the growing threat of Soviet expansionism and the spread of communism. 

    • In 1947, he announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging U.S. support for "free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures," specifically referring to Greece and Turkey. 

    • pledged American support for democratic nations resisting communist influence, marking a shift in US foreign policy from isolationism to active intervention in global affairs to contain the spread of communism

    • This doctrine marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving away from isolationism and towards active engagement in global affairs to counter the spread of communism. 

  • The Marshall Plan 1948

    • To help Western European economies and prevent them from falling under Soviet influence, Truman's administration proposed the European Recovery Program, (Marshall Plan)

    • This plan provided substantial economic aid to war-torn Western European nations, helping them rebuild and stabilize their economies. 

    • Was a key element in containing Soviet influence in Europe and strengthening Western democracies.

General MacArthur

• highly decorated five-star general, known for his leadership in the Pacific Theater during World War II and the Korean War, ultimately being relieved of command by President Truman for refusing to obey orders.

Lee Harvey Oswald

• A former US Marine who defected to the Soviet Union and later returned   

• Is accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, shot on November 22, 1963, in Dallas.

• He was shot and killed by Jack Ruby two days later while being transferred to the county jail

Robert McNamara

• U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968, played a pivotal role in the escalation of American involvement in the Vietnam War, known for his reliance on statistical analysis and management strategies in shaping military policy

LBJ

• the 36th US president, 

• "Great Society" domestic programs, which addressed poverty, civil rights, and social welfare,

• escalation of the Vietnam War, which damaged his presidency and polarized the nation.

• He inherited the Vietnam War from John F. Kennedy and significantly expanded US involvement.

• became increasingly unpopular, leading to protests and a decline in his approval ratings

Ho Chi Minh

• 1890 - 1969

• the founder of the Indochina Communist Party (1930) and the Viet-Minh (1941)

• 1945 to 1969 of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).   

Richard Holbrooke

• A prominent American diplomat known for brokering the Dayton Accords to end the Bosnian War, 

• served as U.S. Ambassador to the UN and the UN,

• a special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan

Joseph McCarthy

• 1908–1957) 

  • Republican U.S. Senator from Wisconsin from 1947 until his death at age 48 in 1957. 

  • Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period in the United States in which Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread communism. 

  • He alleged numerous communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the United States federal government, universities, film industry, and more. 

  • Ultimately he was reprimanded by the Senate in 1954 for refusing to cooperate with and abusing members of the committee established to investigate whether or not he should be censured. 

  • The term "McCarthyism", coined in 1950 in reference to his practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist activities. Today the term is used more broadly to mean demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents

Shirley Chisholm

• A trailblazing American politician,

• the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968, representing New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms

• later became the first Black candidate for a major-party nomination for President in 1972

James Baldwin 

• 1924  - 1987

• African-American writer and civil rights activist 

• Known for his essays, novels, plays, and poems. His 1953 novel Tell It on the Mountain has been ranked by Time magazine as one of the top 100 English-language novels.

• His 1955 essay collection Notes of a Native Son helped establish his reputation as a voice for human equality.

Was an influential public figure and orator, especially during the civil rights movement in the United States.