U.S. History Keyterms 27

The Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, enhancing education, and creating a more equitable society.

Lyndon B. Johnson

The 36th President of the United States, known for his Great Society programs and significant civil rights advancements.

The Feminine Mystique

A groundbreaking book by Betty Friedan published in 1963, which articulated the dissatisfaction of women in the domestic sphere and sparked the second wave of feminism in the United States.

Betty Freidan

An American writer and activist, best known for her book "The Feminine Mystique," which sparked the second wave of feminism.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

The 1964 congressional resolution that authorized military action in Vietnam following reported attacks on U.S. ships. It marked escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Tet Offensive

A major military campaign launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in January 1968 during the Vietnam War, aimed at capturing key cities and weakening U.S. and South Vietnamese morale.

My Lai

A village in South Vietnam where U.S. troops massacred hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in March 1968, which fueled anti-war sentiment and raised ethical questions about U.S. military conduct.

Henry Kissinger

U.S. Secretary of State who played a significant role in U.S. foreign policy during the Vietnam War, particularly in negotiating the Paris Peace Accords. He was instrumental in the policy of détente with the Soviet Union and opening relations with China.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The first President of South Vietnam, serving from 1955 until his assassination in 1963. Diem's government was marked by authoritarianism and a lack of popular support, leading to increased unrest and the eventual escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Chicano Moratorium Committee

A group formed in the late 1960s to protest against the Vietnam War, highlighting the disproportionate casualties suffered by Mexican Americans and advocating for social justice and civil rights.

Robert F. Kennedy

An American politician and civil rights advocate who served as U.S. Attorney General and was a key figure in the Democratic Party during the 1960s. He was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidency.

Title IX

A federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program receiving federal funds, significantly advancing women's rights in education and athletics.