Unit 6 IB History

Warsaw Pact 1955

The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance between all of the communist east European countries, headed by the Soviet Union in 1955. It was designed as a response to NATO. Members were to support each other if attacked.

Christmas Bombings-1972

The heaviest and most destructive air raids of the entire war on Hanoi, Haiphong, and other NV targets, civilian casualties were high and fifteen B-52's were shot down, on December 30 the bombings were terminated. B52 bombers were continuously dropped on North Vietnam. Nixon's attempt to force North Vietnamese diplomats into peace-talks in Paris. Example of how the US would operate in a position of power and a message to South Vietnam that the US would not give up.

U-2 Incident 1960

The incident when an American U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union. The U.S. denied the true purpose of the plane at first, but was forced to when the U.S.S.R. produced the living pilot and the largely intact plane to validate their claim of being spied on aerially. The incident worsened East-West relations during the Cold War and was a great embarrassment for the United States.

Potsdam (July 1945)

The last of the World War II meetings held by the "Big Three" heads of state; established a Council of Foreign Ministers and a central Allied Control Council for administration of Germany; various agreements on the German economy, punishment for war criminals, land boundaries and reparations.

Organization of American States 1947

To achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and their independence. Democracy, human rights, security, and development. Main goals are to prevent any outside state's intervention in the Western Hemisphere and to maintain peace between the various states within the hemisphere.

Truman Doctrine 1947

Truman Doctrine committed the United States to a foreign policy based on Kennan's strategy of containment. Truman hoped to stop the spread of communism, limiting the system to countries in which it already existed. Underlying his policy was the assumption that the Soviet Union sought world domination. The United States believed it had to fight this effort, with aid as needed and with force if necessary.

Francis Gary Powers

U2 pilot who was spying for the CIA and was shot down by the Soviet Union. He was instructed to kill himself if he was caught by self-destructing the plane. The Soviet Union captured him and presented him and the plane to the US. Awkward.

Marshall Plan 1947

US Secretary of State Marshall believed Europe needed immediate economic aid from the USA, the Marshall Plan aimed to:"Revive European working economies so that political and social stability could ensue""Safeguard the future of the US economy" The bill allocating the $17 billion four-year aid program passed US Congress in March 1948; mainly due to the effect of the Czechoslovakian Coup of February 1948.

Search and Destroy

US troop tactic used to seek out secret Viet Cong hiding places and destroy the villages that they stayed in. The new policy of the military effort in Vietnam after Abrams took over. Unlike Westmoreland's attrition, he investigated and located certain areas where the Vietcong were centralized then destroyed it.

Berlin Crisis 1948-1949

Was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. During the multinational occupation of post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under allied control. The Soviet's aim was to force the western powers to allow the Soviet zone to start supplying Berlin with food, fuel, and aid, thereby giving the Soviets practical control over the entire city. Started in June 24, 1948 to May 12, 1949.

Fall of Saigon-1975

Was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the North Vietnamese Army on April 30, 1975. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period leading to the formal reunification of Vietnam under communist rule. Intended to establish peace in Vietnam and end the war. It included terms for ceasefire and American withdrawal. The North Vietnamese agreed to release all US and other prisoners of war. Both sides agreed to withdraw troops from Cambodia and Lao. Determined the DMZ at the 17th parallel, which would separate the two areas of Vietnam to this day.

Paris Accords-1973

Were the peace agreements between Vietnam and the US. It called for the removal for all US troops and the return of all US POW's. It also established a demilitarized buffer zone in the South to separate N and S Vietnamese troops. Under this agreement, Communists in SV could take part in politics. Intended to establish peace in Vietnam and end the war. It included terms for ceasefire and American withdrawal. The North Vietnamese agreed to release all US and other prisoners of war. Both sides agreed to withdraw troops from Cambodia and Lao. Determined the DMZ at the 17th parallel, which would separate the two areas of Vietnam to this day.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of jungle paths winding from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam, used as a military route by North Vietnam to supply the Vietcong during the Vietnam War.

Hawks

Americans who supported the Vietnam War.

Civil Defense

An agency that distributed posters, programs, and information about communism and the threat of communist attacks.

Containment

Created by diplomat George Kennan; goal was to limit teh spread of communism beyond where it already existed by 1946; becomes key U.S policy in Cold War

Great Britain/ Greece / Turkey 1947

England could no longer provide monetary aid to Greece and Turkey, which both were vulnerable to communist pressure. The US took action to avoid the domino theory.

George Kennan

Foreign officer who formulated the "containment doctrine" which stated that Russia was relentlessly expansionary, cautious and the flow of the soviet power could be stemmed by firm and vigilant containment. he wrote "The Sources of Soviet Conduct," which argued this containment policy

Eisenhower Doctrine

January 1957-Declared the right of the US to help, on request, any nation in the Middle East trying to resist armed Communist aggression. Sent US troops to Lebanon to fight against their government.

Haiphong Harbor Mining-1972

Major port for North Vietnamese resources through railroad transportation. Nixon order bombings of the area and mining of the harbor/waterways in North Vietnam. Huge increase in war efforts by the US. Boosted antiwar protests, even among some republicans. Nixon mined the harbor and bombed North Vietnam, which sped up the end of the war; heaviest bombing; response to Easter Offensive.

Senator Richard M. Nixon/Checker Speech

Nixon had been accused of improprieties relating to a fund established by his backers to reimburse him for his political expenses; he defended himself, attacked his opponents, and urged the audience to contact the Republican National Committee (RNC) to tell it whether he should remain on the ticket; he stated that regardless of what anyone said, he intended to keep one gift: a black-and- white dog who had been named Checkers by the Nixon children.

Nikita Khrushchev 1953-1964

Soviet Premier after the the demise of Joseph Staline. He led a series of processes ("de-Stalinization). He was one of the biggest reasons for the Cuban Missile Crisis and the construction of the Berlin Wall in Germany. He was a great advocate of the Communistic ideals.

Brinkmanship

This foreign policy practice involves one or more parties in which confrontation is resorted to in order to get better negotiation positions over the other. This was first used by Secretary of State, John Dulles, and later used during the Cold War. The most documented case of this was the Russian nuclear position in Cuba, starting the Cuban Missile Crisis

Rosenbergs 1953

United States citizens who were executed on June 19, 1953 after being convicted of committing espionage for the Soviet Union

Tet

Vietnamese New Year

Easter Offensive-1972

('72) N. Vietnamese decide that they will launch the offensive that they have ben planning before the relations with China and US are solidified; largest offensive, capture territory below the 17th parallel in an attempt to beat ARVN; Nixon responds with Operation Linebacker. A North Vietnamese attack, demonstrated Vietnamization when US was starting to leave. It involved the NVA military invading, and not so much guerrilla attacks by the Vietcong like normal. The US used airstrikes to damage the North Vietnamese, but the lack of support helped them gain the advantage. Yet the US turned to ruining the NV resources, like mines, etc.

Iron Curtain Speech (June 1946)

1946 Speech delivered by Winston Churchill at Fulton, Missouri where he said "An iron Curtain has descended across Europe", the curtain refereeing to communism. The iron curtain is the metaphorical division between capitalist western Europe, and eastern communist Europe. Is a term used to describe the boundary that separated the Warsaw Pact countries from the NATO countries from about 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1991. The Iron Curtain was both a physical and an ideological division that represented the way Europe was viewed after World War II.

Da Nang

1964 Congressional resolution that authorized President Johnson to commit US troops to south vietnam and fight a war against north Vietnam. A former French Indochina city with a major US airbase. It was the location of the first landing of US forces in South East Asia. It was also a scene of fierce fighting throughout the Vietnam War, since the Vietcong realized how important this site was to the US military.

My Lai March 1968

1968, in which American troops had brutally massacred innocent women and children in the village of My Lai, also led to more opposition to the war. A horrifying attack on South Vietnamese civilians in My Lai. 500 women, children, and elderly were killed in the massacre. The US claimed they were seeking out Vietcong and the South Vietnamese that were helping support their efforts. Officials managed to cover up the incident for about a year, but a soldier came out about it and Westmoreland was tried and convicted of war crimes.

Berlin Airlift

A 327-day operation in which the U.S. and British planes flew food and supplies into West Berlin after the Soviets blockaded the city in 1948.

Henry Kissinger

A Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany who became a major diplomat in American history during Nixon's and Ford's presidencies. As national security advisor, he conducted secret negotiations with North Vietnam, the USSR, and China. He also negotiated peace treaties of the Vietnam War, even received a Noble Peace Prize for his work in the Middle East. He fell from fame when it was discovered that he was involved with Nixon's Watergate scandal.

Anti-War Movement

A Nixon-approved operation intended to provide training for South Vietnamese soldiers and withdraw 150,000 US soldiers. Nixon's administration deduced that there were significant Communist groups located in Cambodia that "could" team up with North Vietnam, so he invaded. Yet it was discovered that Nixon had been ordering bombings of Cambodia months before he told the American people. The invasion fueled the antiwar movement. Student protest that started as the Free Speech movement in California and spread around the world, with common denominator of opposition to war in Vietnam and condemning US presence there. as violation of Viet rights and US imperialism. Lead to growing activism on campuses aimed as social reform etc. Primarily a middle-class movement.

Agent Orange

A chemical that strips leaves from trees and shrubs, turning farmland and forest into wasteland. A highly toxic chemical used by US forces during the Vietnam War with intentions to cripple the Vietcong and North Vietnamese. The US Air Force would take tons of the chemical and fly over the land, crop dusting and destroying natural resources, mainly because the Vietcong heavily relied on the forest for protection, etc. Yet by doing so, the US also ruined the lives of their own soldiers. The effects are still seen today with birth defects and disease.

General William C. Westmoreland

A major leader of the military in Vietnam. His policies were centered on attrition, or complete destruction of the opposing side. However his attrition policies were not widely accepted, being that they could not simply defeat the Vietcong and Nam. He was a major cause of antiwar sentiment growing in the US at the time. He was eventually replaced by General C. Abrams. Sent home favorable reports to the American people.

Geneva 1955

A meeting of the leaders of the US, France, Great Britain, and the Soviets to end the Cold War. Discussed disarmament, the unification of Germany, and the reissuing of economic ties. No agreements were reached, but it was a good first step.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 1949

A military and defense alliance formed by 12 countries in Western Europe and North America. And the first peace time alliance in US History and the most important for the past 60 years. To protect its members from a possible attack from the Soviet Union (Containment).

Chiang Kai Shek

A military officer who succeeded Sun Yat-sen as leader of the Guomindang or Nationalist party in China in the mid-1920; became the most powerful leader in China in the early 1930s, but his Nationalist forces were defeated and driven from China by the Communists after World War II

Cambodian Invasion 1970

A neutral nation believed to be base for Vietcong; resulted in massive US protests including killings on college campuses; Nixon blamed harshly. A Nixon-approved operation intended to provide training for South Vietnamese soldiers and withdraw 150,000 US soldiers. Nixon's administration deduced that there were significant Communist groups located in Cambodia that "could" team up with North Vietnam, so he invaded. Yet it was discovered that Nixon had been ordering bombings of Cambodia months before he told the American people. The invasion fueled the antiwar movement.

Viet Cong 1957

A political organization and army in South Vietnam and Cambodia that fought the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War (1959-1975), and emerged on the winning side. It had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized peasants in the territory it controlled. Many soldiers were recruited in South Vietnam, but others were attached to the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), the regular North Vietnamese army. During the war, communists and anti-war spokesmen insisted the Việt Cộng was an insurgency indigenous to the South, while the U.S. and South Vietnamese governments portrayed the group as a tool of Hanoi. Although the terminology distinguishes northerners from the southerners, communist forces were under a single command structure set up in 1958.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A strategic bombing campaign where the US Air Force attacked specific targets throughout North Vietnam (1965-1968). It was done so that their communist leaders would reduce their forces in the war against the US and South Vietnam. The campaign caused the number of troops in Vietnam to rise, and many claim that it was not very effective. Bombing campaign over North Vietnam, supposed to weaken enemy's ability and will to fight

Vietnamization

A war policy in Vietnam initiated by Nixon in June of 1969. This strategy called for dramatic reduction of U.S. troops followed by an increased injection of S. Vietnamese troops in their place. A considerable success, this plan allowed for a drop in troops to 24,000 by 1972. . This policy became the cornerstone of the so-called "Nixon Doctrine". As applied to Vietnam, it was labeled "Vietnamization". Nixon's policy of taking US troops out of the war. Instead of sending American troops, they would train the South Vietnamese soldiers how to fight for themselves.

Effects of he Tet Offensive

Added to the antiwar movement in America, provided good propaganda for North Vietnam that the US would soon have to give up, loss of soldiers on both sides. Caused a decrease in confidence and morale of soldiers which also caused resentment within the military. Public viewed this as a loss, when really it was a win for the US- aired on television

38th Parallel

After WWII Korea was divided at the 38th parallel for purposes of military occupation. This line then solidified into a political frontier between American-supported Republic of Korea and the Soviet backed Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Czechoslovakia 1947-1948

Although the USSR was consolidating power in Eastern Europe in 1948, Czechoslovakia was moving towards the Marshall Plan. In February 1948, Soviet pressure on the Czech government forced 12 non-communist members to resign, put a Communist-led party in power, and was responsible for the death of a Czech Foreign Minister two weeks later. Truman called it a "coup"; and used the event to push the Marshall Plan through Congress.

Big Red Scare 1950-1954

America became afraid of the spread of communism. The Palmer Raids, the deportation of suspected communists on the Buford, the fear of labor unions and the Sacco-Vanzetti situation are all examples.+ A fear of communism and foreign influence in the US, it swept the country and made people paranoid

Doves

Americans who opposed the Vietnam War.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident-1964

An authorization by Congress empowering President Johnson "to take all necessary measures" to protect U.S. forces in Vietnam; it was issued following reported attacks on U.S. destroyers off the Vietnam coast. Congress later regretted this action as the Vietnam War escalated, and questions emerged about the legitimacy of the attacks. The US destroyer Maddox exchanged fire with North Vietnamese torpedo boats, whom Johnson claimed fired at the Maddox first. This caused an immediate rise in military efforts to fuel the Vietnam War. Many historians have actually viewed LBJ's statement as a blatant lie because there was only a single bullet in the Maddox. Most believed he did it to gain automatic control of the military's actions and deploy more troops.

Buddhist Monk Crisis-1963

Buddhist oppression by the South Vietnamese government under Ngo Dihn Diem prompted a huge act of demonstrations/protests throughout the spring and summer, which all led up to a point when a Buddhist monk lit himself on fire. The government responded by raiding their pagodas and destroying much of their group, to the point of which the U.S. felt the need to get involved. was a period of political and religious tension in South Vietnam between May and November 1963, characterized by a series of repressive acts by the South Vietnamese government and a campaign of civil resistance, led mainly by Buddhist monks. The crisis was precipitated by the shootings of nine unarmed civilians on May 8 in the central city of Huế who were protesting a ban of the Buddhist flag. The crisis ended with a coup in November 1963 by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and the arrest and assassination of President Ngô Đình Diệm on November 2, 1963.

NVA (North Vietnam Army)

Communist army of North Vietnam, supported the Viet Cong in the south

Tet offensive January 30, 1968

Country-wide attacks, including on the US embassy Saigon. Initiated by North Vietnam/Vietcong and seriously changed the objectives of the US's involvement in the War. More so it dramatically altered American sentiment about the war, because many of the attacks were filmed and broadcasted on national TV. 1968; National Liberation Front and North Vietnamese forces launched a huge attack on the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), which was defeated after a month of fighting and many thousands of casualties; major defeat for communism, but Americans reacted sharply, with declining approval of LBJ and more anti-war sentiment

Mini-Thaw in Cold War

During the Cold War, the Secretary of State, George Slutz, would negotiate between US and Russia before further destruction occurs.

Allen Dulles

Eisenhower named him director of the CIA; under his command, thousands of covert agents stationed all over the world carried out a wide range of political activities. Some agents arranged large, secret financial payments to friendly political parties (such as the conservative Christian Democrats in Italy)

Green Berets

Elite anti-guerrilla military units expanded by Kennedy as part of his doctrine of "flexible response". Special Forces: Soldiers/military advisors trained specifically to fight guerilla conflicts and other limited wars, JFK wanted to expand them to fight communism around the world

Problems with Vietnamization

Even with Nixon's promise to withdraw soldiers, there were still soldiers being deployed in Vietnam. The training was not effective enough so the South Vietnamese couldn't protect themselves. They did not know who the enemy was, one who did not fight according to the Geneva Convention.

Yalta (Feb. 1945)

FDR, Churchill and Stalin met at Yalta. Russia agreed to declare war on Japan after the surrender of Germany and in return FDR and Churchill promised the USSR concession in Manchuria and the territories that it had lost in the Russo-Japanese War.

Sputnik Crisis 1957

First artificial Earth satellite, it was launched by Moscow in 1957 and sparked U.S. fears of Soviet dominance in technology and outer space. It led to the creation of NASA and the space race.

Central Intelligence Agency 1947

Formed in 1947 as a replacement for the Office of Strategic Services. It was originally designed to coordinate covert operations in foreign countries for the interests of the US.

Governor Adlai Stevenson

Governor of Illinois and Democratic candidate in the 1952 election who had led the crusade against Hitler, and opened a domestic crusade to clean up "the mess in Washington."

Vo Nguyen Giap

Ho Chi Minh's most trusted lieutenant, he led the Viet Minh in a victory over the French that concluded with the battle at Dien Bien Phu.

Molotov Incident

In 1945 when Russian Foreign Minister came to the White House, President Truman accused the Russians of violating agreements at Yalta Conference about Poland. Molotov said that he was never talked to like how Truman treated him and this caused the Cold War.

Kent State/Jackson State-1970

Individuals supporting the school's SDS were protesting US attacks on Cambodia and the National Guard was called. Because the students threw rocks, the National Guard opened fire. 4 died and 9 were wounded/ At an all-black institution, this protest was mainly focused on racism in the US during the Vietnam War. Students were shot at during a protest and several died or were wounded, but the incident received very little news coverage. Police were given enough time to cover up the massacre before anyone reported on it, and the news was even trying to pin the incident on the black students instead of the police. 4 students killed by National Guardsmen after violent protesting in this university Black Mississippi College, anti war demonstrators seize womens dorm, unprovoked state police open fire, kill 2 (innocent & unarmed, wound 12)

Hungarian Revolution 1956

Initiated due to the brutal rule of the Soviet Union. Bad harvest and limited supplies also caused Khrushchev to become irritated. Civilians protested in the streets of Budapest hoping to gain freedom like Poland, but their efforts were crushed. Eisenhower sympathized with the Hungarians.

Mekong River Delta

Is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam of 39,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq mi).[1] The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.

ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam)

Land-based military forces of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), which existed from October 26, 1955 until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

MIA's

Many felt that the US abandoned the imprisoned veterans in Vietnam. While in peace negotiations, both countries agreed to return prisoners, but only a fraction of US prisoners returned, and many were left behind. There are a couple thousand who are still reported missing. Missing in action during the vietnam war

Joseph McCarthy

McCarthy was an Republic Senator for the state of Wisconsin who made claims that Communist spies were in the U.S Federal Government.

Deterrence/Mutual Assured Destruction

Military deterrence strategy in which each side possesses enough nuclear weapons to destroy the other side, causing neither side to attack because of the threat of nuclear annihilation.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Passed unanimously because of the incident, allowing Johnson essentially full power to wage war in Southeast Asia as he saw fit. His power allowed him to proceed without congresses approval. He was the head of the military. 1964 Congressional resolution that authorized President Johnson to commit US troops to south vietnam and fight a war against north Vietnam.

Viet Cong Guerillas

Retreat when the enemy attacks. Raid whilst the enemy camps. Attack when the enemy tires. Pursue when the enemy retreats

Eugene McCarthy/George McGovern/Robert Kennedy/Richard Nixon/Hubert Humphrey-1968

Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. senator from New York and former Attorney General. Hubert H. Humphrey, U.S. Vice President from Minnesota. Eugene J. McCarthy, U.S. senator from Minnesota. George S. McGovern, U.S. senator from South Dakota. Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States from Texas. The United States presidential election of 1968 was the 46th quadrennial United States presidential election. It was a wrenching national experience, conducted against a backdrop that included the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and subsequent race riots across the nation, the assassination attempt on presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, widespread demonstrations against the Vietnam War across American university and college campuses, and violent confrontations between police and anti-war protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. On November 5, 1968, the Democratic nominee, Senator and former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy won the election over the Republican nominee, former Vice President Richard M. Nixon on a campaign of racial and economic justice, non-aggression in foreign policy, decentralization of power and social improvement. It was the closest election since 1876. The election also featured a strong third party effort by former Alabama Governor George Wallace. Although Wallace's campaign was frequently accused of promoting racism, he proved to be a formidable candidate; no third-party candidate has since won an entire state's electoral votes.

Sec. of State Dean Acheson

Secretary of State under Truman who declared that Korea was out of the essential United Sates defense perimeter in the Pacific; just before North Korea invaded South Korea.

John Foster Dulles 1953-1959

Secretary of State under president Eisenhower. He advocated for a non-communistic society and became a major player in the international problems occurring in Suez, Indochina, and Lebanon. Known also for his foreign "Brinkmanship" policy

Nixon/Khrushchev Kitchen Debate 1959

Televised exchange in 1959 between Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and American Vice President Richard Nixon. Meeting at the American National Exhibition in Moscow, the two leaders sparred over the relative merits of capitalist consumer culture versus Soviet state planning. Nixon won applause for his staunch defense of American capitalism, helping lead him to the Republican nomination for president in 1960.

Truman vs. MacArthur

The Chinese entered the war when the UN forces approached the strategic Yalu River. MacArthur disagreed with Truman's policy of fighting a limited war. MacArthur publicly favored a blockade of the Chinese bases. Truman responded by relieving the rebelliousness MacArthur of his command., Dispute between MacArthur and Truman; MacArthur wanted to expand war to China maniland but Truman was all like "We have to limit war man because I fear that this would lead to a WWIII". MacArthur was fired because of public disagreement with Truman's war policy ---> reflection of policy difference between Eurocentrists ("he who controls Europe is well on his way toward controlling the whole world") VS Asianist; origins of containment vs "rollback" anti- Communist U.S. foreign policy.