Vietnam Study Guide Notes

Vietnam Unit Guide

Key Questions

  • Purpose of the Bay of Pigs? Understanding the objectives behind the Bay of Pigs invasion is crucial.
  • Similarities between the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Overthrow of Guatemala? Identifying common threads between these events helps in understanding US foreign policy during the Cold War.
  • Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis? Analyzing the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis is essential.
  • How does the US get involved in Vietnam? Understanding the reasons behind US involvement in Vietnam is important.
  • Time frame for the Vietnam War? Knowing the duration of the conflict helps in contextualizing events.
  • Tactics used by the Vietcong vs. Americans? Comparing the strategies employed by both sides sheds light on the nature of the conflict.
  • Why was the Vietcong such a difficult opponent? Understanding the challenges posed by the Vietcong is key.
  • Major events of 1968? Identifying significant events of 1968 provides a snapshot of a pivotal year.
  • How does the relationship between the US Government and the people change due to US involvement in Vietnam? Analyzing the impact of the war on the relationship is crucial.
  • What happened to Vietnam after the war ended? How is the outcome of the Vietnam War different from the Korean War? Comparing the outcomes of both wars is important.
  • What were the actions of the 4 presidents during this time period? Identifying their actions is key to understanding US policy.

Key Terms and Events

  • PBSuccess: A covert operation by the CIA to overthrow the democratically elected government of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala in 1954.
  • Lead up to Vietnam: Understanding the historical context and events that led to the Vietnam War is crucial. This includes French colonialism, the First Indochina War, and the division of Vietnam.
  • Overthrow of President Arbenz: The US-backed coup in Guatemala, motivated by fears of communism and protection of United Fruit Company interests.
  • Bay of Pigs Invasion: A failed attempt by US-trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro's government in April 1961.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: A 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba.
  • 17th and 38th Parallel: The 17th parallel divided North and South Vietnam, while the 38th parallel divided North and South Korea. These divisions were outcomes of Cold War conflicts.
  • Vietnamization: A policy implemented by the Nixon administration to gradually withdraw US troops from Vietnam and transfer responsibility for the war effort to the South Vietnamese government.
  • Domino Theory: The belief that if one country in Southeast Asia fell to communism, others would follow.
  • "credibility gap": The growing distrust between the US government and the American public regarding the Vietnam War.
  • Containment: A US foreign policy strategy to prevent the spread of communism.
  • Agent Orange: A defoliant used by the US military in Vietnam to clear vegetation and disrupt enemy supply lines. Its use had severe environmental and health consequences.
  • Napalm: A highly flammable jelly-like substance used in bombs and flamethrowers during the Vietnam War.
  • Search and destroy: Military tactics used in Vietnam to locate and eliminate enemy forces.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: A congressional resolution passed in 1964 that authorized President Johnson to take any necessary measures to repel attacks against US forces in Vietnam. It significantly expanded US involvement in the war.
  • Gulf of Tonkin: Incident in 1964, where North Vietnamese torpedo boats allegedly attacked US Navy destroyers, leading to increased US involvement.
  • Tet Offensive: A major offensive launched by North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces in 1968, which had a significant impact on public opinion in the United States.
  • My Lai Massacre: A massacre of unarmed Vietnamese civilians by US soldiers in 1968.
  • Kent State: A shooting at Kent State University in 1970, where National Guard troops killed four students during a protest against the Vietnam War.
  • Fall of Saigon: The capture of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) by North Vietnamese forces in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War.

People/Groups

  • President Kennedy: US President during the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • Jacobo Arbenz: The democratically elected president of Guatemala who was overthrown in a US-backed coup.
  • Fidel Castro: The communist leader of Cuba.
  • Premier Khrushchev: The leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • President Johnson: US President who escalated US involvement in Vietnam.
  • Ho Chi Minh: The leader of North Vietnam.
  • Vietcong: South Vietnamese communist guerrillas.
  • Viet Minh: Vietnamese nationalist movement.
  • President Nixon: US President who implemented Vietnamization and negotiated the end of US involvement in Vietnam.

Geography

  • Central America/Caribbean Map: A region of focus due to events like the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • Southeast Asia Map: A region of focus due to the Vietnam War.