Korean War
Conflict fought by the U.N. that ended in a stalemate at the 38th parallel in 1953.
Proxy War
The U.S. and Soviet Union confronted each other indirectly by supporting opposite sides in other conflicts.
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Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts related to the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
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Korean War
Conflict fought by the U.N. that ended in a stalemate at the 38th parallel in 1953.
Proxy War
The U.S. and Soviet Union confronted each other indirectly by supporting opposite sides in other conflicts.
Cuban Missile Crisis
A 13-day confrontation in 1962 when the Soviet Union was building missiles in Cuba.
Fidel Castro
Cuban communist leader who came to power in 1959 and was supported by the Soviet Union.
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Failed U.S. attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba.
Brinkmanship
The practice of pushing dangerous events to the brink of disaster (especially nuclear war) in order to achieve the most advantageous outcome.
John Foster Dulles
Secretary of State under President Eisenhower who advocated brinkmanship.
Vietnam Split (1954)
The division of Vietnam into North (Communist) and South (Democratic) at the 17th Parallel.
Containment
U.S. policy of preventing the spread of communism.
Domino Theory
Belief that if one country falls to communism, neighboring countries will also fall.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Resolution that gave President Johnson the authority to take all necessary measures to repel armed attacks against the U.S. in Vietnam, leading to escalation of the war without an official declaration of war.
NVA
North Vietnamese Army.
Vietcong
Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Supply route for Communist forces from North Vietnam to the South.
Tet Offensive
Communist forces's surprise attack on American bases in 1968, marking a turning point in the Vietnam War.
My Lai Massacre
Massacre of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers in 1968.
Hawks
People who supported the Vietnam War.
Doves
People who opposed the Vietnam War.
Kent State Massacre
Shooting of unarmed students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in 1970.
Vietnamization
Policy of expanding the role of South Vietnamese forces and reducing U.S. forces in Vietnam under President Nixon.
Détente
Easing of Cold War tensions.
SALT I and SALT II
Agreements between the Soviet Union and the United States that limited the number of nuclear warheads and missiles each could build.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)
Soviet Union invaded to support a pro-Soviet government, leading to U.S. support for the Mujahadeen.