Vietnam and the Age of Limits Study Guide

These flashcards cover key figures, events, concepts, and terms related to the Vietnam War as discussed in the Age of Limits lecture.

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of Northern Vietnam, a communist, known for organizing meetings that accused civilians of disloyalty, leading to public humiliation or severe punishments.

Ngo Dinh Diem

Leader of Southern Vietnam, a nationalist, who denounced communists and pressured civilians to report suspected pro-communists.

Eisenhower

First U.S. president to support Vietnam involvement, believed in the Domino Theory and sent aid to Vietnam.

Kennedy

Increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam by sending military advisors without sending combat troops.

Nixon

Attempted to end the Vietnam War through Vietnamization, training South Vietnamese forces while secretly expanding the war into Cambodia.

Johnson

Significantly escalated the Vietnam War, sending hundreds of troops after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and beginning heavy bombing.

William Westmoreland

General who led U.S. forces and employed a war of attrition strategy to wear down the enemy.

Dean Rusk

Secretary of State under Kennedy and Johnson, a strong supporter of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and escalation policies.

Robert McNamara

War planner who later admitted flaws in the U.S. war strategy and pushed for increased troop levels.

Hubert Humphrey

Vice President under Johnson who initially supported the war but struggled in the 1968 presidential election due to division over Vietnam.

George Wallace

Third-party candidate in the 1968 election who promoted 'law and order' and opposed anti-war protests.

Viet Cong

South Vietnamese communist military known for guerrilla tactics and blending in with civilians.

Doves

Those who believed the Vietnam War was wrong and advocated for withdrawal.

Hawks

Supporters of the Vietnam War who believed the U.S. should win.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one nation in Southeast Asia fell to communism, others would follow.

Viet Cong Tunnel System

A massive underground network used by the Viet Cong for living spaces, storage, hospitals, and escape routes.

Napalm

A sticky, flammable substance used to clear jungles and enemy positions, causing severe civilian casualties.

Agent Orange

A chemical sprayed to destroy forests and crops, causing long-term health problems and environmental damage.

Credibility Gap

The gap between government statements and actual events during the Vietnam War.

Living-room War

The Vietnam War was one of the first conflicts televised in real time, impacting American public opinion.

Vietnamization

The process of transferring combat roles to South Vietnamese military forces while gradually withdrawing U.S. troops.

Silent Majority

Americans who did not publicly protest but supported Nixon's Vietnam policies.

War Powers Act

Legislation limiting the president's ability to send troops without congressional approval.

Great Society

Johnson's reform programs aimed at reducing poverty, which suffered due to war spending.

Geneva Accords

Agreement splitting Vietnam temporally at the 17th parallel after France's loss, planning elections that never happened.

Body Count

U.S. military strategy measuring success by the number of enemy killed, which led to inaccurate assessments.

Escalation

The gradual increase in U.S. troop numbers and bombing in Vietnam, leading to full-scale war.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Legislation allowing Johnson to use military force without a formal declaration of war.

Dien Bien Phu

France's defeat in Vietnam, leading to Vietnam's division.

Kent State

Site where National Guardsmen killed student protesters, reflecting societal division.

Tet Offensive

A major surprise attack by North Vietnam that shifted public opinion regarding the Vietnam War.

My Lai Massacre

Incident where U.S. soldiers killed civilians, shocking the American public and increasing opposition to the war.

Watergate Scandal

Political scandal resulting in Nixon's resignation, contributing to a loss of trust in government.

Counterculture of the 1960s

Youth movement rejecting traditional values, opposing the Vietnam War and promoting peace.

Fall of Saigon

The collapse of South Vietnam to communist forces, marking the end of the Vietnam War.