Cold War Conflicts in the Americas – Focus: US Foreign Policy and Vietnam

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to US foreign policy and the Vietnam War.

Containment Policy

A United States policy using various strategies to prevent the spread of communism abroad.

Truman Doctrine

A policy set forth by President Truman stating that the US would support countries resisting communism.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

A law passed in 1964 giving President Johnson the authority to escalate involvement in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy to reduce American troops by transferring the responsibility of combat to the South Vietnamese forces.

Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by President Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Tet Offensive

A major turning point in the Vietnam War in 1968 where North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a series of attacks against key targets in South Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Realpolitik

A system of politics or principles based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations.

Détente

The easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation, through verbal communication.

Project FUBELT

A CIA operation to overthrow the democratically-elected Chilean government of Salvador Allende.

“Vietnam Syndrome”

The reluctance of the United States to use military force abroad following the Vietnam War due to fears of becoming entrenched in another conflict.

Alliance for Progress

A program initiated by Kennedy to foster economic development and cooperation in Latin America to counteract communism.

“Credibility Gap”

The gap between what the government claimed about the war in Vietnam and what the public believed.

Agent Orange

A herbicide used by the US military during the Vietnam War to eliminate forest cover and crops for the North Vietnamese.

Paris Peace Accords

The agreement made in 1973 that intended to establish peace in Vietnam and end US involvement.