Key Events and Concepts of the Vietnam War

Domino Theory

If one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident & Resolution

Alleged North Vietnamese attack on U.S. ships; led to resolution giving LBJ broad war powers.

My Lai Massacre

U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians.

Hawks and Doves

Hawks supported the war; Doves opposed it.

DNC Chicago Police Riot

Police violently beat antiwar protesters at 1968 Democratic Convention.

Ngo Dinh Diem

Anti-communist leader of South Vietnam, supported by the U.S.

Ho Chi Minh

Communist leader of North Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of paths used by North Vietnam to supply the Viet Cong.

Cambodia Bombing

Nixon ordered secret bombing of Viet Cong bases in Cambodia.

Vietnamization

Nixon's plan to withdraw U.S. troops and train South Vietnamese.

Kent State

National Guard killed 4 students protesting the war's expansion into Cambodia.

Napalm

A flammable chemical used by the U.S. to destroy jungle and enemy cover.

Viet Cong

South Vietnamese communist guerrilla fighters.

Tet Offensive

Surprise attack by North Vietnam during Tet holiday; turned U.S. public against the war.

Credibility Gap

Growing distrust between the government and public over war progress.

Draft

Mandatory enlistment for military service; seen as unfair.

War Powers Act

Law limiting president's power to deploy troops without Congress.

Agent Orange

Toxic chemical used to kill vegetation; caused health problems.

North Vietnam's economic system

Communist.

South Vietnam's economic system

Capitalist/anti-communist.

North Vietnam's goal

Reunify Vietnam under communism.

South Vietnam's goal

Remain independent from communism.

U.S. involvement in Vietnam

To stop the spread of communism (Domino Theory).

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution as a 'blank check'

It let LBJ escalate the war without Congressional approval.

U.S. and ARVN tactics

Conventional warfare, air strikes, heavy firepower.

Viet Cong and North Vietnam tactics

Guerrilla warfare, booby traps, ambushes, tunnels.

Importance of the Tet Offensive

It shocked Americans and eroded support for the war.

Nixon's bombing of Cambodia and Laos

To cut off Viet Cong supply lines.

American reaction to bombing Cambodia

Angry — led to massive protests like Kent State.

Vietnam considered a failure for the U.S.

High cost, no victory, public distrust, North Vietnam won.

JFK's involvement in Vietnam

Sent advisors to support South Vietnam.

LBJ's involvement in Vietnam

Escalated war after Gulf of Tonkin.

Nixon's involvement in Vietnam

Withdrew troops (Vietnamization), bombed Cambodia.

Silent Majority

Americans who supported the war quietly.

Living Room War

Vietnam was broadcast nightly on TV.

Credibility Gap

Mistrust of the government's version of events.

Draft

Required military service; heavily criticized.

Working-class war

Wealthy could avoid service; poor and minorities were drafted.

Kent State protests

Sparked by Nixon's invasion of Cambodia.

War Powers Act

Limited presidential war powers.

26th Amendment

Gave 18-year-olds the right to vote.

Cesar Chavez

Fought for farmworker rights via nonviolence and strikes.

AIM

American Indian Movement; protested for tribal rights (Wounded Knee).

Feminists in the 1970s

Fought for gender equality, Equal Rights Amendment, abortion rights.

Rachel Carson

Environmentalist who wrote Silent Spring.

EPA

Enforced laws to protect the environment.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Banned discrimination against people with disabilities.

Stonewall Riots

Started the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

1970s movements and Black Freedom Struggle

Learned nonviolent protest, mass organization, legal challenges.

LBJ's political view and victory

Liberal; passed the Great Society and Civil Rights laws.

Nixon's crisis and victory

Watergate scandal; opened relations with China.

Carter's crisis and victory

Iran Hostage Crisis; Camp David Accords.

Reagan's crisis and victory

AIDS and Iran-Contra; strong economy and Cold War victory.

Nixon's visit to China

Improved U.S.-China relations, pressured USSR.

Watergate

Nixon covered up a break-in; led to resignation.

OPEC oil embargo

Arab nations cut oil to U.S. over Israel support.

Effect of the embargo

Gas shortages, inflation, economic trouble.

SDI ('Star Wars')

Missile defense system to shoot down nukes.

Reaganomics

Tax cuts, less government spending.

Iran-Contra scandal

Arms sold to Iran; money sent to Contras illegally.

Reagan and AIDS crisis

Ignored it early on; led to unnecessary deaths.

Fall of Berlin Wall

Symbolized end of Cold War.

Glasnost

Soviet policy of openness.

Perestroika

Soviet economic reforms.

Collapse of the USSR

Caused by economic failure, reforms, Cold War pressure.