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The Domino Theory The concept that if one state in a region fell to communism, the surrounding states would inevitably fall as well. Operation 34A 1964 covert operation where Navy PT boats landed South Vietnamese commandos in the North to destroy military targets. Operation Rolling Thunder A gradual and sustained bombing campaign conducted by the U.S. against North Vietnam beginning in 1965. Lyndon B. Johnson U.S. President who escalated the war after the Tonkin Gulf Resolution but declined to run for re-election in 1968. Ho Chi Minh The communist leader of North Vietnam who supported the revolutionary movement in the South. General Giap The North Vietnamese military commander who coordinated the surprise attacks of the Tet Offensive in 1968. Henry Kissinger Nixon's National Security Advisor who discussed the political and legal implications of the Pentagon Papers leak. General Westmoreland The U.S. commander in Vietnam who used a "War of Attrition" strategy and requested massive troop reinforcements. Robert McNamara The Secretary of Defense who helped architect the war's escalation but later ordered the study that became the Pentagon Papers. The Huston Plan A 1970 plan for expanded domestic intelligence-gathering (illegal wiretaps/burglaries) to combat anti-war radicals. Richard Nixon The U.S. President who oversaw Vietnamization and eventually resigned due to the Watergate scandal. Doves Americans who strongly opposed the Vietnam War and believed the United States should withdraw immediately. Hawks Americans who believed the U.S. should use greater military force to achieve a decisive victory in Vietnam. 26th Amendment Lowered the voting age to 18 because young men being drafted felt they should have the right to vote. War of Attrition (Examples) 1) U.S. use of Napalm/Agent Orange to wear down the enemy; 2) Vietcong use of Ho Chi Minh trail to maintain supplies; 3) General Westmoreland's focus on "Body Counts." Why Nixon Resigned (Examples) 1) Watergate "Smoking Gun" tape showing a cover-up; 2) Illegal actions by the "Plumbers" against Ellsberg; 3) Loss of Congressional support to avoid impeachment. Pentagon Papers Impact (Examples) 1) Revealed government deception; 2) Sapped Nixon's political determination; 3) Led to the "Plumbers" and Watergate; 4) Empowered Congress to restrict war funding. Vietnam Escalation (Examples) 1) Tonkin Gulf Resolution (LBJ); 2) Operation Rolling Thunder (LBJ); 3) Massive ground troop deployment (LBJ); 4) The Huston Plan (Nixon); 5) Secret plans to renew bombing in 1973 (Nixon). Why the 1956 elections never happened Ngo Dinh Diem (backed by the U.S.) refused to participate because he knew the Communists would win. LBJ vs. JFK War Policy JFK sent advisors and money; LBJ turned it into a full-scale U.S. combat war with hundreds of thousands of troops. Goal of the Tet Offensive To spark a popular rebellion in South Vietnam and force the U.S. to scale back its involvement. John Kerry's Veterans Testimony Veterans felt a sense of "anger and betrayal" and felt they were dying for "the biggest nothing in history." Chronological Order 1-5 1. Siege of Dien Bien Phu (1954); 2. 1954 Geneva Accords; 3. Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964); 4. Operation Rolling Thunder (1965); 5. Operation Crimp (1966). Chronological Order 6-10 6. First Fulbright Hearing (1966); 7. The Tet Offensive (1968); 8. First Televised Draft Lottery (1969); 9. US Combat Troop Withdrawal (1973); 10. Nixon’s Resignation (1974).