Vietnam War and Related Concepts

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Domino Theory

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A theory that if one nation comes under Communist control, then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control.

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Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

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1964 Congressional resolution authorizing President Johnson to take military action in Vietnam without officially declaring war. It gave LBJ too much power.

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Roy Benavidez

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A war hero of Vietnam, who had been presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by Reagan.

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Tet Offensive

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1968, during Tet, the Vietnam lunar new year - Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army raiding forces attacked provincial capitals throughout Vietnam. Even though it was a decisive victory for the US, it did lead to the majority of the American public no longer supporting the war.

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Credibility Gap

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American public's growing distrust of statements made by the government during the Vietnam War.

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Vietnamization

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President Richard Nixon's strategy for ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, involving a gradual withdrawal of American troops and replacement of them with South Vietnamese forces.

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26th Amendment

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Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

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War Powers Act

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A resolution of Congress that stated the President can only send troops into action abroad by authorization of Congress or if America is already under attack or serious threat. Removed the power given in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

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Silent Majority

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A phrase coined by Richard Nixon referring to a large number of Americans who supported his policies but did not express their views publicly.

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Fall of Saigon

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Capture of South Vietnamese capital that marked the end of the Vietnam War (April 30, 1975).