The Vietnam War Vocabulary

Front

Vietminh

Back

An organization of Vietnamese Communists and other nationalist groups that fought for Vietnamese independence from the French

Front

Vietcong

Back

A group of Communist guerrillas who, with the help of North Vietnam, fought against the South Vietnamese government in the Vietnam War

Front

Hawk

Back

Americans who supported the Vietnam War

Front

Dove

Back

Americans who opposed the Vietnam War

Front

Geneva Accords

Back

A 1954 peace agreement that divided Vietnam into Communist-controlled North Vietnam and non-Communist South Vietnam until unification elections could be held in 1956.

Front

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Back

Act authorizing President Johnson to take any necessary measure to win the war in Vietnam

Front

Tet Offensive

Back

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

Front

War Powers Act

Back

Act limiting the president's power to deploy troops without the approval of Congress

Front

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Back

A network of paths used by North Vietnam to transport supplies to the Vietcong in South Vietnam

Front

Operation Rolling Thunder

Back

Bombing campaign over North Vietnam that was supposed to weaken their ability and will to fight