Chapters Review

Who was Ho Chi Minh?

He was the leader of the communist revolution in Vietnam

What is Guerilla warfare?

Small group of armed citizens using war tactics such as ambushes, raids, and hit and runs

What were the Geneva Accords?

The Geneva Accords split Vietnam along the 17 th parallel into North and South Vietnam

Who was Ngo Dinh Diem?

Diem was the first president of South Vietnam, he was later assassinated. The US government initially backed his regime.

What was the Vietcong?

The Vietcong was a citizen’s army led by communists who used guerilla tactics. They fought in South Vietnam but were supported by the north.

Why was Kennedy concerned about keeping Vietnam from falling to communism?

President Kennedy did not want Vietnam to fall to communism because he feared if Vietnam fell, it’s surrounding countries (Laos, Cambodia, etc..) would fall as well and communism would spread.

What was the relationship between Diem and Buddhists?

Diem persecuted the Buddhist population in his country.

What was the gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed by Congress in 1964 and allowed President Johnson to “take all necessary measures” to keep peace in Southeast Asia. It effectively handed the war powers of Congress over to the president.

How did the Vietcong combat American firepower?

By using guerilla tactics, the Vietcong were able to combat US firepower. The tunnel system helped as well.

What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

It was a trail that went through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The North Vietnamese used it to transport troops and supplies to the Vietcong in South Vietnam.

What was the credibility gap?

A credibility gap was developed when the American people had lost trust in President Johnson due to his and his administration’s statements about the policies and status of the war.

What were “teach-ins”?

Teach-ins were meetings held by faculty and students of a university where they would discuss their anti-war feelings.

Why was the draft seen by many as unfair?

Many viewed the draft as unfair because one could only defer if they were in school or were a single parent. Many African Americans still did not have the advantages white’s had and were unable to go to college, so many could not defer from the war.

What was the 26 th amendment and how did it relate to this war?

The 26 th amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. People who were in the war were fighting for their country at age 18 and wanted to be allowed to vote if they were forced to fight.

What was the difference between “hawks” and “doves”?

Hawks were people who supported the war and doves were people who were against it.

What two key figures were assassinated in 1968 and who assassinated them?

Robert Kennedy- assassinated by a Palestinian extremist Sirhan Sirhan Martin Luther King, Jr.- assassinated by James Earl Ray

What was Vietnamization?

Vietnamization was Nixon’s policy of gradually withdrawing troops from the war.

Why did Nixon start secretly bombing North Vietnam and Cambodia?

Nixon wanted to eliminate Vietcong forces that were using Cambodia as a safe haven. The plan backfired when the American public found out about the bombings.

What was the massacre at My Lai?

The massacre at My Lai was carried out by American soldiers who killed most of the people living in a South Vietnamese hamlet.

What were the Pentagon Papers?

The Pentagon Papers were government papers containing evidence that government officials were supporting the war publically, but privately expressed reservations. These papers were leaked by Daniel Ellsberg.

What were the Christmas bombings?

For two weeks surrounding Christmas, US bombers attacked North Vietnam. The goal was to force the North back into negotiations.

What happened in South Vietnam in April of 1975?

South Vietnam fell to the North and was taken over by communists.

How were war veterans received when they returned home?

Many returning soldiers were not treated with the respect they deserve. There were almost no fairs and parades to celebrate their homecoming. Some anti-war protestors accused the veterans of being war criminals.

What is the War Powers Act?

The War Powers Act was passed by Congress in It limited the President's ability to send troops abroad without congressional approval.

Where do the roots of the Youth Movement lie?

It originated with the baby boomers and the beat generation that emerged after WWII. The questioned the emphasis on conformity and financial gain.

What was the “New left” and how was it different from the “Old Left”?

The “new left” was comprised of young people who disagreed with the Washington establishment. They didn’t like how big business interfered with politics. The “old left” is considered communists and socialists.

What was the port Huron Statement and who wrote it?

The Port Huron Statement was written by Tom Hayden (Students for a Democratic Society). It urged citizens to get involved and stop accepting a government run by big business

What was the Free Speech Movement?

Led by Mario Savio (UC Berkeley) Protested for students’ rights to free speech on college campuses

What was the original mission of the hippie movement?

Rejected rationality, order, and conformatity Wanted to build a utopia

What were some lasting impacts of the Hippie movement?

Fashion and music—both challenged the status quo and urged originality

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