CH 17 The Vietnam War CH 17 Bonus

CH 17 The Vietnam War

CH 17 #Bonus Background Info (Bonus Questions) French Indochina – what Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos were called when the French ruled the area Ho Chi Minh – political leader of North Vietnam Vo Nguyen Giap – Military leader of North Vietnam

CH 17 #1 Battle of Dien Bien Phu Site of the major victory by the Vietnamese surrounding and defeating the biggest French fortress which lead to them gaining independence

CH 17 #2 Domino Theory The widely accepted belief by Americans that if Vietnam or any other country in Asia fell to communism, it would cause the others to fall one after the other…like dominos

CH 17 #3 The Geneva Accords The treaty agreement that ended French control of Indochina after Dien Bien Phu. It awarded North Vietnam to the communists but created the DMZ to keep the South capitalist while allowing free elections in Laos and Cambodia

CH 17 #4 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Following an “attack” on US battleships near Vietnam, this authorized President LBJ to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression. ” It was quickly approved by Congress

CH 17 #5 Battle of Ia Drang Valley The first major battle between 400 US troops and 4000 North Vietnamese troops. This major US victory showed the effectiveness of helicopter air cavalry and air support. After this, the Vietnamese knew they had to use guerrilla warfare tactics. (Watch “We Were Soldiers”)

CH 17 #6 Agent Orange – a powerful herbicide used by the US during Vietnam to kill foliage, we later found that it causes cancer and other health problems including birth defects in offspring

CH 17 #7 Credibility Gap The lack of trust that developed towards the government, especially LBJ, during the Vietnam War Era.

CH 17 #8 Teach-ins A series of extended meetings or classes hosted by colleges around the US to discuss the issues surrounding the war

CH 17 #9 Hawks vs. Doves Hawks – people who supported the war in Vietnam Doves – people who opposed the war in Vietnam and wanted to withdraw

CH 17 #10 The Tet Offensive A sneak attack by the NVA and Viet Cong on over 30 major cities in South Vietnam during an agreed upon Holiday cease fire. This was the event that killed support for the war back home due to the media coverage.

CH 17 #11 Vietnamization The process started by Nixon of making South Vietnam assume more of the fighting while we slowly withdrew troops back home

CH 17 #12 Kent State Massacre At Kent State U. in Ohio, a peaceful protest turned violent when students started destroying things forcing the National Guard to be called. After setting fire to the ROTC building and throwing rocks, the officers panicked and shot 4 dead and wounded others

CH 17 #13 Paris Peace Accords The peace treaty that brought all troops home ending the war. Exchange of POWs and a promise that the US would return if the South were ever invaded again were agreed upon…two years later the treaty was broken as well as the promise

CH 17 #14 War Powers Act Created to limit the powers of the president by requiring they inform congress within 48 hours of any troop movements and withdraw them after 90 days unless they get permission from Congress

CH 17 #15 Legacy of the War From 1959 -1975 over 58, 000 Americans died in Vietnam 1 million Vietnamese soldiers and several million civilians were killed South Vietnam fell to the North in 1975 Veterans got very few parades or celebrations and were even harassed