SM

Vocab + Dates + People VW

Here’s a more detailed version of your Vietnam War notes with dates and people to help you memorize:

Vietnam War (1955–1975)

A war between the Communist armies of North Vietnam (supported by China) and the non-communist South Vietnam (supported by the United States). The war ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973)

  • Became president after JFK's assassination (1963).

  • Escalated the Vietnam War.

  • Created the Great Society, a set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Great Society (1964-1965)

  • Programs initiated by Lyndon B. Johnson addressing social issues such as healthcare, civil rights, and urban decay.

  • Key components: Medicare, Medicaid, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Vietcong (VC)

  • The Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam who fought against the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

Detente (1969–1979)

  • A period of easing tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union (and Communist China) during the Cold War, primarily during the presidencies of Nixon and Ford.

Kent State Massacre (May 4, 1970)

  • National Guard troops shot and killed four students during an anti-Vietnam War protest at Kent State University in Ohio.

Medicaid (1965)

  • Federal program providing health insurance for low-income individuals and families as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society.

Medicare (1965)

  • Federal program providing health insurance for people 65 and older as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

  • Supreme Court decision that established that police must inform suspects of their rights (including the right to remain silent) before questioning them while in custody.

New York Times Company v. United States (1971)

  • A Supreme Court case that ruled in favor of the New York Times, allowing the publication of the Pentagon Papers and strengthening freedom of the press.

Pentagon Papers (1971)

  • Leaked government documents that revealed that several U.S. presidents had misled the public about the Vietnam War’s progress, fueling distrust in the government.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)

  • Legislation passed by Congress that gave President Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war from Congress.

Escalation (1964–1968)

  • The continuous increase in the number of U.S. troops sent to Vietnam, peaking at over 500,000 by 1969 under President Johnson.

Domino Theory (1950s–1980s)

  • The belief that if one country in Southeast Asia fell to Communism, surrounding countries would also fall, like a row of dominoes.

Draft (1917–1973)

  • The mandatory military service system. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. used the draft to build its forces, sparking protests against the war.

26th Amendment (1971)

  • The constitutional amendment that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 in response to the Vietnam War (argued that if you could fight in the war, you should be able to vote).

Hawks

  • Supporters of the Vietnam War who believed that the U.S. should increase military force to achieve victory.

Doves

  • Critics of the Vietnam War who believed the U.S. should withdraw and negotiate peace with North Vietnam.

Tet Offensive (January 30 – September 23, 1968)

  • A coordinated series of surprise attacks by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War, considered a military failure for the North but a psychological victory. It significantly eroded U.S. public support for the war.

Anti-War Movement (1960s–1970s)

  • A movement led mainly by students and civil rights activists who opposed U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, focusing on protests and activism.

Credibility Gap (1960s–1970s)

  • The mismatch between what the U.S. government was reporting about the Vietnam War and what was being shown by the media. The war became the first "televised" war, leading to a loss of trust in the government.

Silent Majority (1969)

  • A term coined by President Nixon to refer to the majority of Americans who supported the Vietnam War but were not vocal in protests or public demonstrations.

Vietnamization (1969–1973)

  • A strategy under President Nixon that aimed to gradually withdraw U.S. forces from Vietnam and transfer military responsibility to the South Vietnamese Army.

War Powers Act (1973)

  • A law passed by Congress that limited the President’s ability to send U.S. forces into battle without Congressional approval, in response to the Vietnam War.

Roy Benavidez (1935–1998)

  • A Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War when he saved the lives of several soldiers during a battle despite being severely wounded.

Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 17–19, 1961)

  • A failed attempt by the U.S. to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro by training and sending Cuban exiles to invade Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962)

  • A 13-day confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. It brought the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.

Berlin Wall (1961–1989)

  • A wall built by the Soviet Union to divide East and West Berlin, preventing citizens of communist East Berlin from escaping to West Berlin.

New Frontier (1961–1963)

  • President John F. Kennedy's domestic program aimed at addressing social issues (e.g., civil rights, poverty) and expanding the space program.

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • The U.S. government agency responsible for the space program, including landing the first man on the moon in 1969.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

  • Supreme Court case that protected students’ First Amendment rights, ruling that students can protest the Vietnam War at school, as long as it does not disrupt education.

Guerilla Warfare (1940s–1970s)

  • A form of irregular warfare where small groups use surprise tactics (ambushes, sabotage) to attack a stronger enemy. North Vietnam used guerilla tactics against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces during the war.

Important Dates and People:

  • Lyndon B. Johnson – President during much of the Vietnam War.

  • 1964 – Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

  • 1968 – Tet Offensive.

  • 1969 – Nixon's Vietnamization.

  • 1971 – Pentagon Papers released.

  • 1973 – War Powers Act passed.

  • 1975 – Fall of Saigon, end of the Vietnam War.

These notes should help with studying and provide you with the key dates and people to memorize for your test. Let me know if you need more details or help with anything specific!