USH People Chapter 9, 10.5-10.6

Richard Nixon

1968 and 1972; Republican; Vietnam: advocated "Vietnamization" (replace US troops with Vietnamese), but also bombed Cambodia/Laos, created a "credibility gap," Paris Peace Accords ended direct US involvement; economy-took US off gold standard (currency valued by strength of economy); created the Environmental Protection Agency, was president during first moon landing; SALT I and new policy of detente between US and Soviet Union; Watergate scandal: became first and only president to resign

Robert McNamara

Secretary of Defense under JFK & LBJ; expanded American involvement in Vietnam
believed that the US needed to increase its military presence in Vietnam and do more of the fighting in order to win the war
advised Pres. Johnson and changed his decision

William Westmoreland

American General who commanded American military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak from 1964 to 1968
believed that the US needed to increase its military presence in Vietnam and do more of the fighting in order to win the war
advised Pres. Johnson and changed his decision

Robert Kennedy

He was a Democrat who ran for president in 1968 promoting civil rights and other equality based ideals. He was ultimately assassinated in 1968, leaving Nixon to take the presidency but instilling hope in many Americans.

- he and McCarthy believed the war had divided America and drained resources away from the fights against poverty and discrimination

Jimmy Carter

(1977-1981), He was criticized for his return of the Panama Canal Zone, and because of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, his last year in office was marked by the takeover of the American embassy in Iran, fuel shortages, and the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, which caused him to lose to Ronald Regan in the next election.

Eugene McCarthy

the first antiwar advocate to challenge Johnson for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination

- he and RFK believed the war had divided America and drained resources away from the fights against poverty and discrimination

Clark Clifford

Secretary of Defense that suggested that President Johnson should shift US policy from pursuing victory to pursuing a negotiated peace

- Because sending more troops would require raising taxes, increasing draft rolls, and calling up reserves

William Calley

a lieutenant who's unit began shooting and killing unarmed civilians at My Lai.

- he later maintained that he was following orders, but many of the soldiers present did not participate in the massacre.

- was blamed for the attack

Henry Kissinger

The main negotiator of the peace treaty with the North Vietnamese; secretary of state during Nixon's presidency (1970s).

Ho Chi Minh

1950s and 60s; communist leader of North Vietnam; used geurilla warfare to fight anti-comunist, American-funded attacks under the Truman Doctrine; brilliant strategy drew out war and made it unwinnable

Ngo Dinh Diem

American ally in South Vietnam from 1954 to 1963; his repressive regime caused the Communist Viet Cong to thrive in the South and required increasing American military aid to stop a Communist takeover. he was killed in a coup in 1963 (US involved)