Vietnam War Flashcards
What is Napalm?
A petroleum based substance like Vaseline that burns at extremely high temperatures, often used by USA to bomb villages suspected of having Vietcong in them.
Who was Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh was the communist leader of North Vietnam , he supported the Vietminh.
What was the Domino Theory?
The theory that if one nation comes under Communist control then neighbouring nations will also come under Communist control, this spread fear through USA.
What was Agent Orange?
A chemical used by the USA to kill crops and destroy jungle so that the Vietcong couldn’t hide. However it had horrible side effects such as birth defects.
Who employed search and destroy tactics?
The U.S.A used search and destroy tactics as an attempt to kill the Vietcong but many innocents ended up dying.
What was the Tet Offensive?
On Vietnamese new year of Tet, the Vietcong launched a huge offensive on towns and villages all over the country. They also went inside a USA embassy.
What was Vietnamization?
President Richard Nixons strategy for ending U.S involvement in the vietnam war, involving a gradual withdrawl of American troops and replacement of them with South Vietnamese forces.
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
A supposed attack from North Vietnamese forces on USA ships at the Gulf of Tonkin.
What happened after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
The sennet gave the president authority to take “all neccessary measures to repel any armed attack against forces of the United States.”
Who was Lt. Calley?
The soldier in command when the My Lai massacre occurred.
What was the My Lai Massacre?
A Massacre of the village of My Lai by USA troops lead by Lt. Calley, many innocent Vietnamese were killed, this spread hate of the US among Vietnam.
What happened when events like the My Lai Massacre where broadcasted?
People in the USA started to turn against the war and pressure was put on the president to end it.
What did men in the USA do to protest against the War?
They burnt their draft cards in public.
What happened at the Kent State University?
Four students were killed by the national guard during a protest and nine others were injured.
What were Hawks and Doves?
Hawks were pro war.
Doves were anti-war.
