Vietnam War Flashcards

Front

Vietcong

Back

The South Vietnamese Communists who, with North Vietnamese support, fought against the government of South Vietnam in the Vietnam War.

Front

Containment

Back

The blocking of another nation's attempts to spread its influence, especially the efforts of the United States to block the spread of communism from the 1940s to 1991.

Front

Domino Theory

Back

The idea that if a nation falls under communist control, nearby nations will also fall under communist control.

Front

Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution

Back

A resolution adopted in 1964, giving the president broad powers to wage war in Vietnam.

Front

Draft

Back

Required enrollment in the armed services.

Front

The New Left

Back

A youth-dominated political movement of the 1960s, embodied in organizations such as Students for a Democratic Society and the Free Speech Movement.

Front

SDS: Students for a Democratic Society

Back

An antiestablishment New Left group, founded in 1960, that called for greater individual freedom and responsibility.

Front

FSM: Free Speech Movement

Back

An antiestablishment New Left organization that originated in a 1964 clash between students and administrators at the University of California at Berkeley.

Front

Tet Offensive

Back

A massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on South Vietnamese towns and cities early in 1968.

Front

War Powers Act

Back

A law enacted in 1973, limiting a president's right to send troops into battle without consulting Congress.