(1890-1969) leader of the Communist Party in Indochina after WWII; led Vietnamese against the French, then North Vietnamese against the United States in the Vietnam War

an organization whose goal it was to win Vietnam's independence from foreign rule; originated 1945.

the political theory that if one nation comes under Communist control then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control

A town of northwest Vietnam near the Laos border. The French military base here fell to Vietminh troops on May 7, 1954, after a 56-day siege, leading to the end of France's involvement in Indochina.

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

(3 January 1901 - 2 November 1963) was the first president of South Vietnam (1955-1963). Anti-communist dictator who repressed all opposition; backed by U.S. until assassinated in a coup de tat.

the guerrilla soldiers of the Communist faction in South Vietnam, also know as the National Liberation Front

a resolution adopted by Congress in 1964, giving the president broad powers to wage war in Vietnam

Secretary of Defense under JFK & LBJ; expanded American involvement in Vietnam

American Secretary of State from 1961-1969. Rusk was very militant, advocating military force in combating communism; especially in Vietnam.

American General who commanded American military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak from 1964 to 1968

Highly flammable chemical dropped from US planes in firebombing attacks during the Vietnam War and other conflicts.

a herbicide used in the Vietnam War to defoliate forest areas

an operation developed for United States troops in Vietnam; troops would move through a designated area destroying enemy troops as they found them; relied heavily on new modes of transportation

This was the gap between the people and the government that grew as the people became disillusioned with the Vietnam War.

someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the conduct of foreign relations

person who advocates immediate firm action, including the use of force, to resolve international crises

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

President Richard Nixons strategy for ending U.S involvement in the vietnam war, involving a gradual withdrawl of American troops and replacement of them with South Vietnamese forces

that group of quiet honest hard-working middle class Americans who do their job, respect their country and support gov.; Nixon wants their votes in 1968 and 1972

secret government documents published In 1971; revealed that the u.s. government had misled americans about the vietnam war.

Key foreign policy adviser during Nixon's presidency (1970s).

Notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops; had to gain congress' approval to stay longer than 90 days; designed to curtail President's power