The Vietnam War

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 Congressional resolution authorizing President Johnson to take military action in Vietnam

Vietcong

A group of Communist guerrillas who, with the help of North Vietnam, fought against the South Vietnamese government and the US in the Vietnam War.

Ho Chi Minh

Communist leader of North Vietnam

Tet Offensive

A massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on South Vietnamese towns and cities in early 1968 during the Tet holiday

1968

Presidential election, MLK assassination, Robert Kennedy assassination, Tet Offensive

Vietminization

Richard Nixon's plan to slowly and gradually withdraw troops from Vietnam

Presidents involved in Vietnam

Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon

Richard Nixon

1968 and 1972; Republican; Vietnam: advocated "Vietnamization" (replace US troops with Vietnamese), but also bombed Cambodia/Laos.

North Vietnam

Communist led by Ho Chi Minh. Invade South Vietnam in 1975 to unite the whole country under communism.

Agent Orange

A toxic leaf-killing chemical sprayed by U.S. planes in Vietnam to expose Vietcong hideouts. Resulted in birth defects and cancer years later.

Kent State University Massacre

Massacre of four college students by National Guardsmen on May 4, 1970, in Ohio. In response to Nixon's announcement that he had expanded the Vietnam War into Cambodia, college campuses across the country exploded in violence.

Campus resistance during Vietnam War

One way Americans showed their resentment for the Vietnam War was riots and protests on college campuses. College-aged students led activism movements at thousands of universities across the country.

Fall of Saigon

Marked the end of the Vietnam War in April, 1975 when North Vietnamese invaded South Vietnam, forcing all Americans left to flee in disarray as the capitol was taken. Proved that despite American involvement in the war, communism could not be stopped.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of paths used by North Vietnam to transport supplies to the Vietcong in South Vietnam

Draft

All men ages 18-26 were forced to register for the American military in Vietnam

Draft resistors

Citizens who refused to join the army. They would often burn their draft cards, go to college, or leave the country.

Ngo Dinh Diem

South Vietnamese president that was catholic and strongly opposed communism. His poor leadership and corrupt government did not help South Vietnam.

Geneva Accords

A 1954 peace agreement that divided Vietnam into Communist-controlled North Vietnam and non-Communist South Vietnam until unification elections could be held in 1956 (which didn't happen)

17th Parallel

Dividing line between North and South Vietnam

Robert Kennedy

Brother of JFK. While running for president in 1968, he was assassinated in Los Angeles.

Domino Theory

A theory that if one nation comes under Communist control, then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control.

War Hawks vs. War Doves

A political debate during the Vietnam War, where War Hawks supported military action while War Doves opposed it.

War Powers Resolution

A federal law passed in 1973 that limits the president's ability to deploy U.S. forces without congressional approval. This was passed as a result of the disastrous effect of presidential power and abuse in Vietnam.

Counterculture Movement

A social movement in the 1960s and 70s that rejected traditional values, embracing peace, love, and anti-war activism, significantly influencing American culture during the Vietnam War era.