Chapter 19 Short Answer/Extended Response

Question 1

What were the two main reasons for opposition to the Vietnam War?

Answer 1

-Some saw it as a civil war we should stay out of
-Some saw South Vietnam as a corrupt dictator and gelt it was immoral to defend it

Question 2

What was the Tet Offensive?

Answer 2

-Guerilla fighters attacked American air bases in South American and bombed major cities
-They also attacked American embassy in Saigon
-After a month, the US was able to hold them off
-Showed the American people that the war would go on for a long time

Question 3

Discuss the 1968 election in detail.

Answer 3

-Hubert Humphrey ran as democrat, Richard Nixon as Republican, George Wallace as independent
-Wallace focused on segregation, Nixon focused on restoring law and order, and Humphrey was anti-war
-Nixon defeats Humphrey by over 100 electoral votes

Question 4

Explain how the domino theory went into effect following the removal of US troops from Vietnam.

Answer 4

-Cambodia became communist under Khmer Rouge
-The North Vietnamese captured the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon
-After repeated bombings during the war, Communists took over Laos

Question 5

Describe, in detail, the legacy of the Vietnam War.

Answer 5

-US spent $173 billion on the war
-58,000 Americans died, 1 million Vietnamese soldiers died, and 1 million Vietnamese civilians died
-War Powers Act limited executive powers
-Americans distrusted the government
-Americans questioned our foreign policies