America in the 1970's Flashcards
1
Q
Vietnam War Causes
A
- 1950s: the French were overwhelmed by North Vietnamese (communists) guerrilla warfare tactics, the U.S. becomes invested
- South Vietnamese leader (Ngo Dinh Diem) was unpopular, leads to his assassination
- Domino Theory: if Vietnam fell to communism, the rest of the South Pacific would
2
Q
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
A
- 1964
- North Vietnamese ships attacked U.S. ships, seen as a direct threat
- Lyndon B. Johnson uses this to convince Congress to send more troops to Vietnam
- Congress authorizes office of the President “all necessary measures” in waging war against Vietnam
- Increases the power of the President / the Executive Branch
- American Boats get “blown up” so congress says “We need to go fight Vietnam and this justifies doing so”
3
Q
Tet Offensive
A
- North Vietnamese led a massive offensive on every South Vietnam City and U.S. military base in Vietnam
- News agencies capture the offensive, release the images to millions across the U.S.
- News covered more intensely than any other war (in previous wars they had been working for the government)
- Americans begin to see the evils of war
4
Q
The Pentagon Papers
A
- Journalists leaked Vietnam War information to the public, focused on U.S. troops attacking women and children
- Supreme Court rules that this information must be released to the public
- Stirs up antiwar activity
5
Q
Why does Lyndon B. Johnson not run for a second term?
A
- Vietnam failures were too damaging
- Started losing primaries (because of Vietnam backlash)
6
Q
Richard Nixon
A
- Republican
- former Vice President to Eisenhower
- Believed in fiscal responsibility / modern republicanism
- Goals
- End Vietnam War with a U.S. victory
- Follow Eisenhower’s Domino Theory - Social policy: leave it up to the states discretion; no civil rights acts
7
Q
Moon Landing
A
- July 20th, 1969
- America wins the space race
- Patriotic moment for the U.S.
- Morale boost after 1960s (Vietnam War, JFK’s assassination,…)
8
Q
Nixon’s Vietnam War Approach
A
- Increase warfare
- Increase bombing missions in Vietnam
- Vietnamization: reduce troops and give money to South Vietnam
- Utilize Cambodia to get rid of communism on the peninsula
9
Q
Anti War Protests
A
- 2 groups:
- Supporters (Hawks)
- Opposers (Doves) - As the Vietnam War worsens, more people protest
10
Q
Kent State Massacre
A
- May 4th, 1970
- Massive antiwar protest at Kent State University
- National Guard arrives, tensions flare, and 4 students are killed
11
Q
End of Vietnam War
A
- End of 1972 North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States agree to an armistice
- North Vietnam takes over South Vietnam
- About 1 million dead on both sides
- $118 million spent
12
Q
Detente
A
Deliberate decrease in communism / Cold War tensions
- a policy of “openness” + called for countries to respect each other’s differences and cooperate more closely
13
Q
SALT Treaty
A
- Stands for Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty
- Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union agreed to decrease the amount of nuclear weapons
14
Q
New Federalism
A
- Government program created by Nixon
- Gives $30 million to states and local governments
- Democrats are against it; they believe the government should decide what to do with the money, not the states
15
Q
Stagflation
A
- Stagnation & inflation
- Wages and annual income stay constant
- Costs of goods and services rises
