Vietnam War Questions

What did the French have to do with Vietnam?
They controlled Vietnam as a colony until they were kicked out in 1954.

Who was the revolutionary leader of Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh, the communist leader who fought for Vietnam’s independence.

What happened at Dien Bien Phu?
Vietnamese forces beat the French, ending French rule in Vietnam.

What decision was made at the Geneva Conference in regard to Vietnam’s future?
Vietnam was split into North and South at the 17th parallel.

Who was Ngo Dinh Diem?
He was the U.S.-backed leader of South Vietnam but was unpopular and killed in 1963.

What is the form of protest named self-immolation?
It’s when someone sets themselves on fire to protest, like some Buddhist monks did.

What happened in the Gulf of Tonkin?
The U.S. said North Vietnam attacked its ships, which led to more U.S. involvement.

What was the name of the operation carrying out massive bombing runs in Vietnam?
Operation Rolling Thunder.

What is the draft lottery?
A system that randomly picked men to go fight in the war.

Who is “Charlie”?
A nickname U.S. soldiers used for the Vietcong (VC).

What was the name of the supply line from North Vietnam to the Vietcong in South Vietnam?
The Ho Chi Minh Trail.

How were the Vietcong able to attack the US forces and then simply disappear?
They used hidden tunnels and blended in with villagers.

What chemical was used in Vietnam to clear the vegetation in the jungles?
Agent Orange.

What was the Tet Offensive?
A surprise attack by North Vietnam in 1968 that made Americans question the war.

What announcement by President Johnson shocked the nation?
He said he wouldn’t run for president again.

What happened at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago?
Protesters and police clashed violently.

What did each of the following groups stand for?

Who won the 1968 Presidential election?
Richard Nixon.

What is Vietnamization?
Nixon’s plan to pull out U.S. troops and let South Vietnam fight.

What happened at the village of My Lai?
U.S. soldiers killed many unarmed Vietnamese civilians.

What was in the Pentagon Papers?
Documents showing the U.S. government had lied about the war.

What two universities saw violence from the Vietnam War protests?
Kent State and Jackson State.

What amendment was added during the Vietnam War and what did it do?
The 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18.

What role did Henry Kissinger play in the Vietnam War?
He helped make peace and end the war.

What power was reassured in the War Powers Act in 1973? Why?
It reminded everyone that only Congress can declare war. It was passed after the president got too much power during Vietnam.

What was the name of the prison where many U.S. soldiers were held?
The Hanoi Hilton.

What event led to the resignation of President Nixon?
The Watergate scandal.

In what year did Saigon fall to the North Vietnamese?
1975.