Vietnam War Flashcards

Flashcards covering key events, people, and terms related to the Vietnam War.

Tet Offensive (1968)

A series of surprise attacks by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces throughout South Vietnam, including major cities. While the U.S. militarily won, the offensive had a significant psychological impact on the American public, contributing to growing dissent against the war.

Walter Cronkite

A respected news anchor who, after the Tet Offensive, expressed his doubts about the Vietnam War, signaling a shift in public and media opinion.

William Calley

US Army officer court-martialed for his role in the My Lai Massacre in 1968.

Eugene McCarthy

A senator who ran for president in 1968 primarily on an anti-Vietnam War platform. His strong showing in the New Hampshire primary against incumbent Lyndon Johnson demonstrated the depth of opposition to the war.

Operation Rolling Thunder

An intensive bombing campaign conducted by the US military from March 1965 to October 1968, aimed at North Vietnam and Viet Cong supply lines. The goals were to halt attacks and compel North Vietnam to negotiate a peace treaty.

William Westmoreland

The commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam who advocated for the Americanization of the war, including the deployment of ground troops.

Americanization of the War

Increased U.S. involvement by deploying more combat troops to Vietnam.

Lyndon B. Johnson

President of the United States who expanded U.S. involvement in Vietnam. He initially provided aid to South Vietnam and later escalated the conflict with increased military intervention.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

A pair of alleged attacks on U.S. naval vessels (USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy) by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in August 1964. Led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting President Johnson broad authority to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

Viet Cong (VC)

Guerrilla force that would only fight fights he knew he could win.

Napalm

A jellied gasoline used in bombs that sticks to surfaces causing severe burns and widespread fires.

Agent Orange

A herbicide used to defoliate forests and croplands in Vietnam to eliminate cover for Viet Cong forces. Its use has been linked to serious health problems in exposed individuals.

Operation Breakfast

Bombing campaign in Cambodia Vietnam War to take out the Ho Chi Minh Trail target Viet Cong and supply lines