Vietnam War Quiz

Containment Policy

Stopping the spread of Communism. The principal goal of U.S. foreign policy following WW2.

Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969)

Name means "one who enlightens." Worked as a cook on a French steamship which is how he was able to visit America. Proclaimed that "all men are created equal."

Vietminh League

An organization founded by Ho Chi Minh that fought Japan then France.

Guerrilla Warfare

A military tactic where small, mobile groups use hit-and-run attacks against larger forces.

Domino Theory

The idea that if one country falls to Communism, neighboring countries will follow.

Dien Bien Phu

In 1954, the French suffered a major defeat and had to surrender to Ho Cho Minh.

Geneva Accords

In 1954. Ended the first Indonesian War. Temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17 parallel.

Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963)

Raised in a Catholic family. Was a political activist against Communist rule. Spent his exile in America, Japan, and Europe. President of South Vietnam from 1955-63.

Viot Cong (VC)

Communist guerrillas. Some were trained soldiers from the North, others were peasants from the South who hated Diem.

Military Advisors

Soldiers sent to foreign countries to aid such countries' militaries with their military education and training, organization, and other various military task.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

A series of events in August 1964 that led to increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Was a gradual and sustained aeriel bombardment campaign conducted by the United States from March 1965 until 2 November 1968.

John McCain

Represented the state of Arizona in Congress for over 35 years, from 1983 to until his death in 2018. He was the Republican Party's nominee in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

Hanoi Hilton

Nickname given to Hao Lo Prison. The most notorious facility in North Vietnam.

Tet Offensive

A series of major coordinated attacks launched by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and (VC) forces against South Vietnamese and U.S. military and civilian targets during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) in January 1968.

Tet

Means festivals.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of jungle paths and roads used by North Vietnam to transport troops and supplies to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

My Lai Massacre

A mass killing of as many as 500 unarmed villagers by U.S. soldiers in the hamlet of My Lai on March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War.

Vietnamization

The US policy of withdrawing its troops and transferring the responsibilty and direction of the war effort to the government of South Vietnam.

Khmer Rouge

Is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (Cambodia) (CPK).

Gulf of Tonkin Results (List)

1. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

2. Escalation of Military Actions

3. Deployment of US Combat Troops

4. Increased US Military Presence

5. Growing Anti-War Movement

Biggest Issues for the U.S. (List)

1. Fighting a Guerrilla War

2. Unfamiliar Jungle Terrain

3. South Vietnamese Government Became More Unpopular

4. Support for the VC Grew

5. US Bombing of Millions of Acres of Farmland Strengthened the Peasant's Opposition

Operation Rolling Thunder Objectives (List)

1. Boost the Morale of South Vietnam

2. Persuade North Vietnam to Cease its Support for the Communist Insurgency in South Vietnam

3. Destroy North Vietnam's Transportation System, Industrial Base, and Air Defenses

4. Halt the Flow of Men into South Vietnam

5. Halt the Flow of Material into South Vietnam

Impact of Tet Offensive (List)

1. Shifting Public Opinion

2. Rise of the Anti-War Movement

3. Decline in Presidential Popularity

4. De-Escalation and Negotiation

5. The Beginning of the End