Vietnam War Vocab

Containment

A U.S. foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism to new countries

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country in a region became communist, neighboring countries would follow

Communism

An economic and political system where the government controls all property and industry

Capitalism

An economic system where individuals and businesses own property and operate for profit

Ho Chi Minh

The communist leader of North Vietnam who sought to unify Vietnam under communism

Geneva Accords (1954)

An agreement that temporarily divided Vietnam into North (communist) and South (non-communist)

North Vietnam

The communist government led by Ho Chi Minh

South Vietnam

The non-communist government supported by the United States

Guerrilla Warfare

A type of fighting using surprise attacks, ambushes, and hit-and-run tactics

Viet Cong (VC)

Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam who supported North Vietnam

Ho Chi Tinh Trail

Route used by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) to supply the Viet Cong in South Vietnam

Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964)

An alleged attack on U.S. ships that led Congress to expand U.S. involvement in Vietnam

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

A law passed by Congress allowing the president to send troops to Vietnam without a formal declaration of war

Hawks

People who support U.S. military involvement in foreign countries

Doves

People who oppose U.S. military involvement in foreign countries

Draft

A system requiring men to serve in the military

Napalm

A highly flammable chemical used in bombs that caused severe burns and destruction

Agent Orange

A chemical herbicide used to destroy jungle vegetation, which caused long-term health problems

Tet Offensive (1968)

A major surprise attack by North Vietnamese and Viet cong forces that shocked Americans

Credibility Gap

The difference between what the U.S. government said about the war and what was actually happening

Vietnamization

A policy of transferring fighting responsibilities from U.S. troops to South vietnamese forces

Kent State Shooting (1970)

An event where National Guard troops shot and killed four student protesters at a college in Ohio

Pentagon Papers

Secret government documents revealing that officials had misled the public about the war

Paris Peace Accords (1973)

An agreement to end U.S. involvement adn establish peace in Vietnam

Fall of Saigon (1975)

The capture of South Vietnam’s capital by North Vietnam, ending the war and unifying the country under communism