USH: Chapter 22 Test Review
The Vietnam War Years
CH Objective: to understand the military & political events of the
Vietnam War in Southeast Asia & its impact on life in the United States
Section 1: Moving Toward Conflict:
Main Idea: to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, the US
used its military to support South Vietnam
Why it Matters Now: the US support role in Vietnam began what would
become America’s longest & most controversial war in its history
Terms & Names to Identify:
1. Ho Chi Minh:
2. Vietminh:
3. domino theory:
4. Dien Bien Phu:
5. Geneva Accords:
6. Ngo Dinh Diem:
7. Vietcong:
8. Ho Chi Minh Trail:
9. Tonkin Gulf Resolution:
(1)-examine how the US became involved in the
Vietnam Conflict
*America Supports France in Vietnam:
-French Rule in Vietnam
-late 1800s-WWII, France rules most of Indochina
-1940, Japanese take control of Vietnam
-Vietminh – organization that aims to rid Vietnam of foreign rule
-September 1945, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent
nation
-France Battles the Vietminh
-1950, US begins economic aid to France to stop communism
-The Vietminh Drive Out the French
-domino theory – countries can fall to communism like row of
dominos
-1954, Vietminh overrun French at Dien Bien Phu; France
surrenders
-Geneva Accords divide Vietnam at 17th parallel; Communists get
North
-election to unify country called for in 1956(2)-describe the
expansion of US military involvement under
President Johnson
*President Johnson Expands the Conflict:
-The South grows more Unstable
-succession of military leaders rule South Vietnam; country
unstable
-LBJ thinks US can lose international prestige if communists win
-The Tonkin Gulf Resolution
-alleged attack in Gulf of Tonkin; LBJ asks for power to repel enemy
-1964 Tonkin Gulf Resolution gives him broad military powers
-1965 8 Americans killed, LBJ orders sustained bombing of North
-US combat troops sent to South Vietnam to battle Vietcong
Section 1 Comprehension:
1. Why did the US support canceling elections in Vietnam in 1956?
2. Why was the Diem regime unpopular?
3. Complete the table below:
President
Vietnam Policy & Goals
Truman
P:
G:
Eisenhower
P:
G:
Kennedy
P:
G
Section 2: US Involvement & Escalation:
Main Idea: The US sent troops to fight in Vietnam, but the war quickly
turned into a stalemate
Why it Matters Now: Since Vietnam, Americans are more aware of the
positive & negative effects of using US troops in foreign conflicts
Terms & Names to Identify:
1. Robert McNamara:
2. Dean Rusk:
3. William Westmoreland:
4. Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN):
5. napalm:
6. Agent Orange:
7. search & destroy missions:
8. credibility gap:
(1)-explain the reasons for the escalation of US
involvement in Vietnam
*Johnson Increases US Involvement:
-Strong Support for Containment
-LBJ hesitates breaking promise to keep troops out; works with:
-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Secretary of State
Dean Rusk
-Congress, majority of public support sending troops
-The Troop Buildup Accelerates
-General William Westmoreland – US commander in South Vietnam
-thinks southern Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) ineffective
-requests increasing numbers; by 1967 500,000 US troops
(2)-describe the military tactics & weapons used by US
forces & the Vietcong
*Fighting in the Jungle:
-An Elusive Enemy
-Vietcong use hit-and-run, ambush tactics, move among civilians
-tunnels help withstand airstrikes, launch attacks, connect villages
-terrain laced with booby traps, land mines laid by US, Vietcong
-A Frustrating War of Attrition
-Westmoreland tries to destroy Vietcong morale through attrition
-Vietcong receive supplies from China, USSR; remain defiant
-US sees war as military struggle; Vietcong as battle for survival
-The Battle for “Hearts & Minds”
-US want to stop Vietcong from winning support of rural population
-weapons for exposing tunnels often wound civilians, destroy
villages
-napalm: gasoline-based bomb that sets fire to jungle
-Agent Orange: leaf-killing, toxic chemical
-search-&-destroy missions move civilian suspects, destroy
property
-villagers go to cities, refugee camps; 1967, over 3 million refugees
-Sinking Morale
-guerilla warfare, jungle conditions, lack of progress lower morale
-many soldiers turn to alcohol, drugs; some kill superior officers
(3)-explain the impact of the war on American Society
*The Early War at Home:
-The Living Room War
-combat footage on nightly news shows stark picture of war
-critics say credibility gap between administration reports & events
Section 2 Comprehension:
1. Why did US forces have difficulty fighting the Vietcong?
2. What factors led to the low morale of US troops?
3. Complete the table below:
Vietcong
Tactics
Weapons
US
Section 4: 1968: A Tumultuous Year:
Main Idea: an enemy attack in Vietnam, two assassinations, & a chaotic
political convention made 1968 an explosive year
Why it Matters Now: disturbing events in 1968 accentuated the nation’s
divisions, which are still healing in the 21st century
Terms & Names to Identify:
1. Tet Offensive:
2. Robert Kennedy:
3. Eugene McCarthy:
4. Hubert Humphrey:
5. George Wallace:
(1)-describe the Tet Offensive & its effect on the
American public
*The Tet Offensive Turns the War:
-A Surprise Attack
-1968 villagers go to cities to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
-Vietcong among crowd attack over 100 towns, 12 US air bases
-Tet offensive lasts one month before US, South Vietnam regain
control
-Westmoreland declares attacks are military defeat for Vietcong
-Tet Changes Public Opinion
-before Tet, most Americans hawks; after Tet, hawks, doves both
40%
-mainstream media openly criticizes war
-Secretary of Defense Clifford concludes war in unwinnable
-LBJ’s popularity drops; 60% disapprove his handling of the war
(2)-explain the domestic turbulence of 1968
*Days of Loss & Rage
-Johnson Withdraws
-LBJ announces will seek peace talks, will not run for reelection
-Violence & Protest Grip the Nation
-riots rock over 100 cities after MLK is killed
-Robert Kennedy wins Cali primary; is fatally shot for supporting
Israel
-major demonstrations on over 100 college campuses
-Nixon Triumphs
-promises to restore law & order, end war in Vietnam
Section 4 Comprehension:
1. What were the reasons protestors demonstrated in Chicago? What
happened?
2. Why was 1968 characterized as a year of “lost control” in America?
Section 5: The End of the War & Its Legacy:
Main Idea: President Nixon instituted his Vietnamization policy, &
America’s longest war finally came to an end
Why it Matters Now: Since Vietnam, the US considers more carefully the
risks to its own interests before intervening in foreign affairs
Terms & Names to Identify:
1. Richard Nixon:
2. Henry Kissinger:
3. Vietnamization:
4. silent majority:
5. My Lai:
6. Kent State University:
7. Pentagon Papers:
8. War Powers Act:
(1)-describe Nixon’s policy of Vietnamization
*President Nixon & Vietnamization:
-The Pullout Begins
-Vietnamization – US troops withdraw, South Vietnam troops take
over
-“Peace with Honor”
-Nixon calls for “peace with honor” to maintain US dignity
-orders bombing of North Vietnam, Vietcong hideouts in Laos,
Cambodia
*Trouble Continues on the Homefront:
-Mainstream America
-silent majority – moderate, mainstream people who support the war
-The My Lai Massacre
-news breaks that US platoon massacred civilians in My Lai village
-commander convicted, imprisoned
-The Invasion of Cambodia
-1970, US troops invade Cambodia to clear out enemy supply
centers
-1.5 million protesting college students close down 1,200 campuses
-The Pentagon Papers
-Nixon invades Cambodia, Congress repeals Tonkin Gulf Resolution
-Pentagon Papers show plans to enter war under LBJ
-confirm belief of many that government not honest about intentions
(2)-describe the end of US involvement & the final
outcome in Vietnam
*America’s Longest War Ends:
-“Peace at Hand”
-1971, 60% think US should withdraw from Vietnam by end of year
-Kissinger agrees to complete withdrawal of US
-The Final Push
-South Vietnam rejects Kissinger’s plan; talks break off; bombing
resumes
-Congress calls for end to war; peace signed January 1973
-Fall of Saigon
-cease-fire breaks down; South surrenders after North invades
1975
*The War Leaves a Painful Legacy:
-American veterans Cope Back at Home
-58,000 Americans, over 2 million North, South Vietnamese die
-returning veterans face indifference, hostility at home
-about 15% develop post-traumatic stress disorder
-The Legacy of Vietnam
-government abolishes military draft
-1973 Congress passes War Powers Act:
-president must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying
troops
-90 day maximum deployment without Congressional
approval
-war contributes to cynicism about government, political leaders
Section 5 Comprehension:
1. Create the web diagram on pg 761 and complete it.