Significant Individuals
Leader of Vietnam when independence was declared from France in 1946.
Ho Chi Minh
Who were the NVA?
North Vietnamese Army
U.S. and South Vietnamese troops move into a neutral country in pursuit of capturing Vietcong weapons and military headquarters.
Invasion of Cambodia
A belief that if communism was not stopped in Vietnam, it could spread to the rest of Southeast Asia and beyond.
Domino Theory
Someone who volunteers to serve in the military.
Enlistee
Leader of South Vietnam until his assassination in 1963. This leader allowed widespread corruption to occur in South Vietnam and silenced any opposition.
Ngo Dinh Diem
South Vietnamese Communist Insurgents
Vietcong
Deadly Vietnam War protest in 1970 that left four college students dead.
Kent State Tragedy
U.S. Foreign Policy that sought to prevent communism from spreading after WWII.
Containment
How long did a typical tour of duty in Vietnam last for U.S. soldiers?
12-18 Months
President of the U.S. from 1963-1969 who used the Gulf of Tonkin Incident to justify sending U.S. Combat Troops into South Vietnam.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Members of the U.S. Army Special Forces sent to Vietnam to advise the South Vietnamese army.
Green Berets
Major offensive carried out by the NVA and Vietcong against South Vietnam. The U.S. claimed victory but showed how much longer this war could last. Changed U.S. opinion about the war.
Tet Offensive
Who were the 'hawks'?
War supporters who believed the U.S. had to be tough on Communism and prevent it from spreading.
Took place at high schools and colleges. Educated people on what was going on in Vietnam.
Teach-ins
U.S. Secretary of State who met with North Vietnamese officials and eventually negotiated an end to U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Henry Kissinger
What countries supported the North Vietnamese Government?
North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union
The evacuation of Americans and loyal Vietnamese civilians from South Vietnam’s Capital, Saigon. Evacuation occurred as communist forces were entering Saigon.
Operation Frequent Wind
Originated during the end of W.W.II and was a rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Dramatically increased the president's power over the military leading up to direct U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Successful North Vietnamese General who is most famous for planning the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Tet Offensive
General Vo Nguyen Giap
Who were the ARVN?
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Battle between the Viet Minh and French that eventually led to the French withdrawal and divide of the nation.
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
What were three agreements made in the Geneva Accords?
French to withdraw troops from North Vietnam
Vietnam to be temporarily divided at the 17th Parallel
Elections to be held within two years to unify the country
Half-million South Vietnamese refugees headed for the coast. Fled their homes due to uncertainty surrounding communist rule.
Convoy of Tears