History - Topic 4 Vietnam Flashcards
Describe the main cause of the Vietnam War.
The U.S. aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, following the Cold War policy of containment.
Define the Viet Minh.
A communist-led group that fought for Vietnamese independence from France, led by Ho Chi Minh.
How did the Geneva Accords of 1954 affect Vietnam?
An agreement that temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with the North controlled by communists and the South by anti-communists.
Who was Ho Chi Minh and what was his significance?
The communist leader of North Vietnam and a key figure in the fight for Vietnamese independence.
Explain the Domino Theory.
The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall, like a row of dominoes.
Identify Ngo Dinh Diem and his role in Vietnam.
The anti-communist leader of South Vietnam, whose regime was supported by the United States but was unpopular among his own people.
How did the U.S. justify its support for Ngo Dinh Diem?
The U.S. saw Diem as a bulwark against communism in Southeast Asia, despite his authoritarian rule.
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
An alleged attack on U.S. Navy ships by North Vietnamese forces in 1964, which led to increased U.S. involvement.
Describe the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
It allowed President Johnson to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.
Describe Operation Rolling Thunder.
A sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam from 1965 to 1968 aimed at weakening the enemy’s resolve and capabilities.
Define the Viet Cong.
Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam who supported the North Vietnamese and fought against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.
How did the Tet Offensive impact American public opinion?
Although a military failure for the North, it turned American public opinion against the war due to its scale and intensity.
Explain the significance of the My Lai Massacre.
In 1968, U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, leading to global outrage and further opposition to the war.
What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
A network of supply routes used by North Vietnam to transport troops and supplies through Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam.
Identify General William Westmoreland’s role in the Vietnam War.
The U.S. Army general who commanded American forces in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968, advocating for increased troop levels.
Describe the policy of Vietnamization.
President Nixon’s strategy to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and transfer combat responsibilities to the South Vietnamese army.
What was the significance of the Tet Offensive?
A major coordinated attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on South Vietnamese cities in 1968, which shocked the American public.
How did the My Lai Massacre affect public perception of the Vietnam War?
It led to global outrage and increased opposition to the war due to the killing of hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians.
What was the purpose of the Paris Peace Accords?
To establish peace in Vietnam and outline the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Describe the significance of the Paris Peace Accords signed in 1973.
The Paris Peace Accords led to the withdrawal of U.S. forces and a ceasefire in Vietnam, but ultimately failed to establish lasting peace.
When did Saigon fall to the communists?
Saigon fell to the communists on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War with a communist victory.
How did the media influence public opinion during the Vietnam War?
The media brought graphic images of the war into American homes, which fueled public opposition to the conflict.
Define the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War era.
The anti-war movement was a broad coalition of students, veterans, and activists who opposed the Vietnam War, especially prominent from the mid-1960s onward.
What were the Pentagon Papers and their significance?
The Pentagon Papers were classified documents leaked in 1971 that revealed the U.S. government had misled the public about the Vietnam War’s progress and scope.
Who was Daniel Ellsberg and what did he do?
Daniel Ellsberg was a former military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers, exposing government deception about the Vietnam War.
Describe the events that occurred at the Kent State University protest in 1970.
At the Kent State University protest in 1970, National Guard troops shot and killed four students protesting the war, which sparked nationwide outrage.
Who were the ‘Silent Majority’ according to President Nixon?
The ‘Silent Majority’ referred to Americans who supported the war effort but were not vocal about their views.
How did the draft affect public opinion regarding the Vietnam War?
The draft forced many young Americans to serve in Vietnam, which fueled protests and resentment, particularly among the working class.
Describe guerrilla warfare and its application by the Viet Cong.
Guerrilla warfare is a strategy involving surprise attacks, ambushes, and hit-and-run tactics, effectively used by the Viet Cong against superior U.S. forces.
Define Agent Orange and its effects.
Agent Orange was a chemical defoliant used by the U.S. to destroy jungle cover, causing severe health problems for both Vietnamese and American veterans.
How was Napalm utilized during the Vietnam War?
Napalm was a flammable gel used in bombs that caused widespread destruction and was controversial due to its devastating impact on civilians.
Differentiate between the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Viet Cong.
The NVA were regular army forces from North Vietnam, while the Viet Cong were guerrilla fighters operating in the South.
What was the significance of the tunnel systems used by the Viet Cong?
The tunnel systems allowed the Viet Cong to launch surprise attacks, hide from U.S. forces, and transport supplies unseen.
Explain the War Powers Act of 1973.
The War Powers Act of 1973 is legislation passed to limit the president’s ability to send troops into combat without congressional approval, in response to the Vietnam War.
Summarize the outcome of the Vietnam War for the United States.
The U.S. withdrew its forces, South Vietnam fell to communism, and the war led to widespread skepticism about government.
Assess the impact of the Vietnam War on Vietnam itself.
The Vietnam War had devastating effects on Vietnam, including loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and long-term economic and social challenges.
Describe the impact of the Vietnam War on Vietnam’s society.
Vietnam suffered immense human, economic, and environmental damage, leading to decades of hardship under a unified communist government.
Define the term ‘boat people’ in the context of Vietnam.
Refugees who fled Vietnam by sea after the communist takeover, seeking safety and a better life abroad.
How did the Vietnam War influence U.S. foreign policy?
It led to a more cautious approach known as the ‘Vietnam Syndrome,’ where the U.S. became reluctant to engage in overseas conflicts.
Explain the relationship between PTSD and Vietnam veterans.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition many veterans suffered due to the war’s traumatic experiences.
Describe the cultural impact of the Vietnam War on American society.
The war influenced music, films, and literature, often reflecting anti-war sentiments and disillusionment with authority.
How did the Vietnam War conclude for North and South Vietnam?
North Vietnam emerged victorious, and Vietnam was unified under communist rule in 1975.
Define the legacy of the Vietnam War in contemporary America.
It remains a controversial chapter in U.S. history, influencing how Americans view military intervention and its consequences.
