EOC Spot Check - Vietnam: LBJ's War

Which term BEST describes the foreign policy of both President Harry Truman and President Lyndon Johnson?

• Containment
• Détente
• Isolationism
• Expansionism

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION

Containment: This option is the correct answer. Both President Harry Truman and President Lyndon Johnson pursued a foreign policy of Containment, which aimed to prevent the spread of communism, particularly in areas of strategic interest to the United States.

Détente: Détente refers to a period of easing of tensions between nations, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. While elements of détente were present in U.S. foreign policy during both Truman and Johnson's presidencies, containment was the overarching strategy.

Isolationism: Isolationism involves a policy of avoiding entanglement in international conflicts and alliances. Neither Truman nor Johnson pursued isolationist policies; instead, they engaged actively in international affairs, particularly in the context of the Cold War.

Expansionism: Expansionism involves a policy of territorial or economic expansion. While the United States did engage in some forms of expansionism throughout its history, particularly in the 19th century, neither Truman nor Johnson's foreign policies were primarily characterized by expansionist aims.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is Containment.

This excerpt is taken from which of these documents?

• Lend Lease Act

• Treaty of Paris

• The Containment Policy

• Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION then refer to the QUOTE, and use the subtext to find the context (date)

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: This option is the correct answer. The excerpt provided is from the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which was passed by the United States Congress in response to reported attacks on U.S. naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964. The resolution granted President Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to use military force in Vietnam.

Lend Lease Act: The Lend-Lease Act was a program enacted by the United States in 1941 to provide military aid to allied nations during World War II. It is not relevant to the excerpt provided.

Treaty of Paris: The Treaty of Paris refers to several treaties throughout history, including the one that ended the American Revolutionary War in 1783. None of these treaties are relevant to the excerpt provided.

The Containment Policy: The Containment Policy was a Cold War foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism. While the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution can be seen as part of the broader context of containment, the excerpt itself is not about the containment policy.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Opponents of this resolution argued that it was unconstitutional on what grounds?

• It took away judicial powers.

• It gave too much power to the President.

• It increased the power of the President's cabinet.

• It violated the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION

Opponents of this resolution argued that it was unconstitutional on what grounds?

It gave too much power to the President.: This option is the correct answer. Opponents of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution argued that it granted the President, Lyndon B. Johnson, overly broad authority to escalate U.S. involvement in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war from Congress, thus concentrating too much power in the executive branch.

It took away judicial powers.: This statement is incorrect. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution primarily concerned the authorization of military action and did not directly involve judicial powers.

It increased the power of the President's cabinet.: This statement is incorrect. While the resolution did expand the President's authority regarding military action, it did not specifically impact the power of the President's cabinet.

It violated the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.: This statement is incorrect. The 25th Amendment primarily addresses issues related to presidential succession, disability, and vacancies in the office of the President and Vice President. It is not directly relevant to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is It gave too much power to the President.

Match each term with the correct item.

• Tet Offensive

• He was the Prime Minister of North Vietnam from 1946-1969 and led North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

• Cambodia

• This is the country was secretly and illegally bombed by the United States during the course of the Vietnam War in 1969 and 1970.

• Ho Chi Minh Trail

• This is the name of the network of small roads and paths throughout eastern Cambodia and were used by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

• Ho Chi Minh

• This is the name of the North Vietnamese group that was both official army and guerrilla group during the era of the Vietnam War.

• Vietcong

• In January of 1968, North Vietnamese ambushed forces in South Vietnamese towns and cities, including the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

In the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive of 1968 showed that

• a peace settlement was close at hand.

• American forces were solidly in control of South Vietnam.

• the Vietcong could strike any major city in South Vietnam.

• the My Lai massacre was not going unnoticed by communist forces.

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION

In the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive of 1968 showed that

the Vietcong could strike any major city in South Vietnam.: This option is the correct answer. The Tet Offensive of 1968 demonstrated the ability of the Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces to launch coordinated attacks on multiple major cities and provincial capitals in South Vietnam, surprising American and South Vietnamese military planners and challenging the perception that the communist forces were on the brink of defeat.

a peace settlement was close at hand.: This statement is incorrect. The Tet Offensive did not indicate that a peace settlement was close; rather, it intensified the conflict and led to increased American involvement in Vietnam.

American forces were solidly in control of South Vietnam.: This statement is incorrect. The Tet Offensive revealed vulnerabilities in the American and South Vietnamese positions, challenging the notion that American forces were firmly in control of South Vietnam.

the My Lai massacre was not going unnoticed by communist forces.: This statement is incorrect. The My Lai massacre, in which American troops killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, occurred in March 1968, several weeks before the Tet Offensive began in late January of 1968. While the massacre was a significant event, it was not directly related to the Tet Offensive.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is the Vietcong could strike any major city in South Vietnam.

This map shows the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Which statement BEST describes the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

• It was used by North Vietnam to get weapons and troops into South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

• It was used extensively by the United States to use guerrilla warfare against North Vietnam.

• It was an escape path for people out of North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

• It was used by South Vietnam to get weapons and troops into North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION

This map shows the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Which statement BEST describes the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

It was used by North Vietnam to get weapons and troops into South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.: This option is the correct answer. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a network of paths and roads used by North Vietnam to transport troops, supplies, and weapons from North Vietnam to the Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces fighting in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

It was used extensively by the United States to use guerrilla warfare against North Vietnam.: This statement is incorrect. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was primarily used by North Vietnam to support its military efforts in South Vietnam. While the United States did conduct bombing campaigns against the Ho Chi Minh Trail, it was not used by American forces for guerrilla warfare.

It was an escape path for people out of North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.: This statement is incorrect. While individuals may have attempted to use parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to escape Vietnam during the war, its primary purpose was to transport troops and supplies from North to South Vietnam.

It was used by South Vietnam to get weapons and troops into North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.: This statement is incorrect. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was used exclusively by North Vietnam to support its military operations in South Vietnam. South Vietnam did not have control over the trail and did not use it for transporting troops and supplies into North Vietnam.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is It was used by North Vietnam to get weapons and troops into South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.