Period 7 1945-1952 4/2/2025 Flashcards
What did France want to control after WWII?
Vietnam
France aimed to regain control over Vietnam after the Japanese occupation during WWII.
Who gained control of Vietnam during WWII?
Japan
Japan occupied Vietnam during World War II.
Which group took over the north of Vietnam?
The communist Vietminh
The Vietminh was a communist-led resistance movement in Vietnam.
What was the outcome of the civil war in Vietnam?
The French lost and the communist North took over South Vietnam
This led to the establishment of a communist government in the entire country.
Why did the U.S. become involved in Vietnam?
To stop the spread of communism
The U.S. aimed to contain communism during the Cold War.
What did the Geneva Accords do?
Temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel
The Geneva Accords established a temporary division of Vietnam into North and South.
Who controlled North Vietnam after the Geneva Accords?
Communist leader Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh was a prominent figure in the struggle for Vietnamese independence and communism.
Who controlled South Vietnam after the Geneva Accords?
Anticommunist forces backed by the U.S.
The U.S. supported the South Vietnamese government against communist forces.
What did Kennedy want to do regarding U.S. involvement in Vietnam before his assassination?
Withdraw the U.S. from Vietnam
This reflects Kennedy’s approach to foreign policy and his concerns about the conflict.
How did Johnson’s view on Vietnam differ from Kennedy’s?
Johnson escalated the nation’s role in Vietnam
Johnson was concerned about the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.
What was Johnson’s primary concern regarding South Vietnam?
He was worried about leaving South Vietnam to be taken over by communism
This concern influenced U.S. foreign policy decisions during his presidency.
What event occurred on August 2, 1964, involving the USS Maddox?
A North Vietnamese boat fired a torpedo at the USS Maddox
The USS Maddox was on patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin at the time.
What was the outcome of the torpedo attack on the USS Maddox?
The torpedo missed, but America fired back, inflicting heavy damage
This incident was a catalyst for increased U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
What resolution did Congress pass following the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution
This resolution granted Johnson broad military power in Vietnam.
What was Johnson facing during the 1968 election?
Johnson was being worn down by the war, anti-war protesters, and riots.
The Vietnam War was a significant factor affecting Johnson’s presidency.
What was Richard Nixon’s campaign promise in the 1968 election?
Nixon campaigned with a promise of restoring law and order.
Nixon’s campaign focused on addressing the unrest in the country.
Who won the presidency in the 1968 election?
Richard Nixon won the presidency.
Nixon’s victory marked a shift in political power.
What was a significant outcome of Nixon’s presidency?
The continuation of the Vietnam War.
Nixon’s administration faced criticism for its handling of the war.
What unique aspect characterized the Vietnam War in relation to presidential changes?
This was the only war where Presidents changed in the middle.
The transition from Johnson to Nixon occurred during the ongoing conflict.
Who conferred with NSA Henry Kissinger on a plan to end America’s involvement in Vietnam?
Nixon
What was the name of the plan that called for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam?
Vietnamization
What was the purpose of the Vietnamization plan?
For South Vietnam to take on more of an active role
What secret action was Nixon ordering while planning Vietnamization?
A massive bombing campaign against supply routes in North Vietnam
In what year were the Pentagon Papers leaked?
1971
Who leaked the Pentagon Papers?
David Ellsberg
What did the Pentagon Papers reveal about U.S. involvement in Vietnam?
The U.S. had plans to enter the war and stay there as long as needed
What belief did the Pentagon Papers confirm regarding the government’s actions?
The government wasn’t being honest about their intentions in the war
What was David Ellsberg’s stance on the Vietnam War?
He was anti the war and thought it was a waste of money and soldiers
What action did Nixon take against newspapers spreading the leaks?
He sued the newspapers
What was the outcome of Nixon’s lawsuit against the newspapers?
The charges were dropped due to freedom of the press
What happened to David Ellsberg following the leak of the Pentagon Papers?
Nothing happened to him
What year was the cease fire agreed upon in Vietnam?
1973
This marked a significant turning point in the Vietnam War.
What happened to U.S. troops in Vietnam by 1973?
All U.S. troops have been withdrawn
This withdrawal marked the end of U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War.
What event occurred within 2 years after the U.S. troop withdrawal?
North Vietnam captures the capital Saigon
This led to the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.
What was the outcome for Vietnam after North Vietnam captured Saigon?
Vietnam becomes one unified communist country
This officially ended the Vietnam War.
Name the five communist countries of the world mentioned.
- Cuba
- Laos
- North Korea
- Vietnam
- China
These countries were recognized as communist during the Cold War era.
What was Richard M. Nixon’s plan to redistribute federal power?
New Federalism
In what year did Nixon propose New Federalism?
1969
What was the primary goal of New Federalism?
To distribute a portion of federal power to state and local governments
What mechanism did Nixon use to allow state and local governments to spend federal money?
Revenue sharing
What responsibility did Nixon’s New Federalism aim to take away from the federal government?
Responsibilities taken on by the Great Society programs
What welfare programs did Nixon want to dismantle?
Welfare programs
Which programs did Nixon aim to increase funding for?
- Social Security
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Food stamps
What economic condition did America face between 1967 and 1973?
Stagflation
Stagflation refers to a period of high inflation and high unemployment occurring simultaneously.
What were the primary causes of stagflation in America during this period?
Many social programs from Johnson’s Great Society, funding of the war, and dependency on foreign oil
These factors contributed to economic instability.
Which organization supplied much of America’s petroleum in the 1970s?
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
OPEC is a coalition of oil-producing countries that coordinates petroleum policies.
What significant action did OPEC take in the 1960s?
Raised prices
This action affected global oil markets and contributed to inflation.
What event in 1973 led OPEC to cut off oil sales to America?
The Yom Kippur War
The war involved a conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states.
What happened to oil prices after OPEC resumed selling in 1974?
Prices had quadrupled
This drastic increase further exacerbated inflation in America.
Fill in the blank: America faced high inflation and unemployment, known as _______.
stagflation
True or False: The dependency on foreign oil was a contributing factor to stagflation.
True
What was Henry Kissinger’s foreign policy philosophy called?
Realpolitik
Realpolitik means political realism.
What does realpolitik emphasize in foreign policy?
Consideration of power, not ideals or principles.
What was the change in foreign policy regarding weak communist countries?
No confrontation from America.
What term describes the plan Nixon and Kissinger agreed on to deal with Communist countries?
Detente.
What does detente mean?
Easing of Cold War tensions.
In what year did Nixon visit Communist China?
1971.
What was the purpose of Nixon’s visit to Communist China?
Normalization of relations between the two countries.
In what year did Nixon visit Moscow?
1972.
What were the meetings called that led to the SALT 1 Treaty?
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).
What significant agreement did Nixon and Brezhnev sign?
SALT 1 Treaty.
How long was the SALT 1 Treaty agreement set for?
5 years.
What did the SALT 1 Treaty limit?
The number of missiles being launched.
What was the Watergate scandal?
The Watergate scandal was the attempt by Nixon’s administration to cover up a burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters
How many men were caught breaking into the Watergate office?
5 men
What was the goal of the men who broke into the Watergate office?
To photograph documents and place wiretaps
What was revealed about the men caught in the Watergate burglary?
They were part of Nixon’s re-election campaign
In what year did Nixon release tapes and transcripts related to Watergate?
1974
What did Nixon famously proclaim on television regarding his innocence?
“I’m not a crook.”
Was there enough evidence to impeach President Nixon?
Yes
What action did Nixon take before Congress could proceed with impeachment?
Nixon resigned from his position as President
What was ruled in Roe v. Wade?
Women have the right to choose an abortion during the first 3 months of pregnancy
What does the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) guarantee?
Men and women would be able to enjoy the same rights and protections under the law
Who was a prominent conservative opponent of the ERA?
Phyllis Schlafly
What negative outcomes did Phyllis Schlafly associate with the ERA?
Drafting of women and same sex marriages
What was the purpose of creating the New Right?
To combat the ERA and pro-abortion supporters, focusing on social, cultural, and moral problems
What issues did the New Right focus on?
Family centered issues
What happened to the ERA by 1982?
It was not approved by enough states and was defeated
What significant action did Gerald Ford take on September 8, 1974?
Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon
This action was intended to help the country move beyond the Watergate scandal.
What was the public reaction to Ford’s decision to pardon Nixon?
There was much outrage against this decision.
What economic issues was Ford opposed to?
Inflation, unemployment, and OPEC prices.
What program did Ford propose to combat inflation?
Whip Inflation Now.
What was the main suggestion of the Whip Inflation Now program?
Citizens cut back on oil and gas.
What was the outcome of the Whip Inflation Now program?
The plan fell flat.
