American studies Flashcards
Defer
To put off until later; to postpone
Pacify
To calm; to make peaceful
Ho Chi Minh
1890-1969 leader of the communist movement in Vietnam; leader of north Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem
First president of the republic of Vietnam, executed in 1963 during a south Vietnamese coup
Vietcong
South Vietnamese communist who fought against the south Vietnam government and u.s forces ( the enemy)
Hawks
Those who supposed u.s involvement in Vietnam and thought the U.S. Should use more force in the war
Doves
Those who supposed u.s involvement in Vietnam and wanted the u.s to withdraw from the war
Conscientious objectors
People opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles
NVA
The north Vietnamese army
Gulf of Tonkin resolution (1964)
Congressional approval for president Johnson to take “all necessary measures” to fight the war in Vietnam without ever issuing an actual declaration of war
Tet offensive
A massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on s. Vietnamese towns and cities ( during the Vietnamese new year: “Tet” ). This was the point at which U.S. Public opinion turned against the war
Napalm
A highly incendiary liquid consisting of gasoline jelled with aluminum soaps, used as a weapon of war in fire bombs to burn the jungle
Agent orange
A leaf killing chemical sprayed by U.S. Planes in Vietnam to expose Vietcong hideouts
Selective service
The draft
Deferment
Postponement of ones induction into the military service
Pacification
Policy of uprooting entire villages and forcing the people to cuties or refugee camps
My Lai massacre
A shooting of more than 300 Vietnamese noncombatant
Kent state
National guardsmen shoot into a crowd of unarmed student protesters, killing 4 and wounding 9 others
War power act
Requires that the president must notify congress within 49 hours if American forces are sent into hostile area without a declaration of war
What happened in the gulf of Tonkin in 1964?
N Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked an America.
