Transcript for:
Study Guide: Cold War and Vietnam War

Final Exam study Guide:

Presidents in order:

1. Harry S. Truman (1945–1953)

• End of WWII, start of Cold War
• Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Korean War

2. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)

• Brinkmanship, CIA covert actions, Eisenhower Doctrine, Warsaw Pact, Space Race begins

3. John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)

• Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs, New Frontier, assassination in 1963

4. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)

• Great Society programs, escalation of Vietnam War, Civil Rights Acts, Tonkin Gulf Resolution

5. Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

• Vietnamization, détente with USSR and China, ended Vietnam War, Watergate scandal (not in your guide but notable) Chapter 18: Cold War Conflicts iComets Section 1: Origins of the Cold War (pg. 602–608)
• Cold War: A period of tension and hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union, characterized by political, military, and ideological rivalry without direct armed conflict.
• Harry S. Truman: Became U.S. president in 1945 after Franklin D. Roosevelt's death. He played a pivotal role in shaping early Cold War policies, including the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.
• Joseph Stalin: Leader of the Soviet Union who established a totalitarian regime and sought to expand Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, leading to tensions with the West.
• United Nations (UN): Established in 1945 to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The UN became a platform for U.S.-Soviet rivalry during the Cold War.
• Potsdam Conference (compared to Yalta Conference): Held in July–August 1945, the Potsdam Conference marked a shift in U.S.-Soviet relations. Unlike the Yalta Conference, where cooperation was emphasized, Potsdam highlighted emerging tensions over postwar arrangements.
• Satellite Nations and the “Iron Curtain”: Eastern European countries under Soviet influence, such as Poland and Hungary, were referred to as satellite nations. Winston Churchill described the division of Europe as the "Iron Curtain," symbolizing the ideological and physical separation between communist East and capitalist West.
• Containment: U.S. foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by supporting countries resisting Soviet influence.
• Truman Doctrine: Announced in 1947, it pledged U.S. support for countries resisting communism, starting with Greece and Turkey.
• Marshall Plan: A U.S. initiative providing over $13 billion in aid to Western European countries to rebuild their economies and prevent the spread of communism.
• Berlin Airlift: In 1948–1949, the U.S. and its allies supplied West Berlin by air after the Soviet Union blockaded the city, demonstrating commitment to containing communism.
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Established in 1949, NATO is a military alliance of Western nations formed to counter Soviet aggression. Section 2: The Cold War Heats Up (pg. 609–615)
• Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong: Leaders of the Chinese Nationalist and Communist parties, respectively. Mao's victory in the Chinese Civil War in 1949 established the People's Republic of China.
• Failure of Containment in China: Despite U.S. support for Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalists were defeated by Mao's forces, leading to the establishment of a communist government in China.
• Syngman Rhee and Kim Il Sung: Leaders of South Korea and North Korea, respectively. Their conflicting ideologies contributed to the outbreak of the Korean War.
• Korean War: Began in 1950 when North Korean forces, supported by China and the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea. The U.S. and UN forces intervened to support South Korea. The war ended in 1953 with an armistice, restoring the pre-war status quo.
• General Douglas MacArthur: Led UN forces during the Korean War. He was dismissed by President Truman in 1951 after disagreements over military strategy.
• MacArthur vs. Truman: Dispute over military strategy in Korea, particularly MacArthur's public criticism of Truman's policies, led to MacArthur's removal.
• 38th Parallel: The dividing line between North and South Korea, which remained after the Korean War. Section 3: The Cold War at Home (pg. 616–621)
• Truman’s Loyalty Review Board: Established to investigate federal employees for potential communist ties, reflecting domestic fears of communist infiltration.
• House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC): Investigated alleged communist activities in the U.S., notably targeting Hollywood figures and government employees.
• Hollywood Ten and the Blacklist: A group of screenwriters and directors who were blacklisted after refusing to testify before HUAC, leading to a ban on their work in the industry.
• The McCarran Act (override of veto): Passed in 1950, it required communist organizations to register with the U.S. government and established detention camps for subversives. Truman vetoed it, but Congress overrode the veto.
• Alger Hiss/The Rosenbergs: Hiss was a former State Department official convicted of perjury related to espionage; the Rosenbergs were executed for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviets.
• Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Hunt for Communists: McCarthy claimed to have a list of communists in the U.S. government, leading to widespread fear and investigations, known as McCarthyism. Section 4: Two Nations Live on the Edge
• Hydrogen Bomb (U.S. and Soviets): Both nations developed hydrogen bombs, leading to an arms race and heightened fears of nuclear war.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower and Brinkmanship: Eisenhower's foreign policy emphasized the threat of massive retaliation to deter Soviet aggression, known as brinkmanship.
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Conducted covert operations to counter Soviet influence, including in Iran, Guatemala, Egypt, and Hungary.
• Eisenhower Doctrine: Announced in 1957, it pledged U.S. economic and military support to Middle Eastern countries resisting communist aggression.
• Warsaw Pact: A military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries led by the Soviet Union, established in 1955 as a counterbalance to NATO.
• Nikita Khrushchev: Soviet leader who succeeded Stalin and led during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the construction of the Berlin Wall.
• The Space Race (Sputnik): Initiated by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957, leading to U.S. efforts to achieve technological superiority in space.
• U-2 Incident over the Soviet Union: In 1960, a U.S. U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union, worsening relations between the two superpowers.

Chapter 20: The New Frontier and the Great Society Section 1: Kennedy and the Cold War (pg. 670–678)

• 1960 Presidential Election: John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Richard Nixon, bringing a youthful, dynamic leadership style.
• Kennedy/Nixon Debates: The first televised presidential debates, showing Kennedy’s charisma and Nixon’s experience.
• Camelot Years: Term used to describe the optimistic and idealistic atmosphere during Kennedy’s presidency.
• Kennedy’s “Flexible Response” vs. Brinkmanship: Kennedy preferred a flexible military approach over Eisenhower’s massive retaliation policy.
• Fidel Castro and the Cuban Dilemma: Castro’s rise to power in Cuba created tension with the U.S., leading to the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Bay of Pigs Invasion: Failed 1961 U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Castro, embarrassing the Kennedy administration.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: 1962 13-day standoff over Soviet missiles in Cuba, the closest the world came to nuclear war.
• Berlin Wall: Built in 1961 to stop East Germans fleeing to West Berlin, symbolizing Cold War divisions.
• “Hot Line” Between U.S. and Soviets: Direct communication link established in 1963 to quickly resolve crises.
• Limited Test Ban Treaty: 1963 treaty banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere, space, and underwater. Section 2: The New Frontier (pg. 679–683)
• Kennedy’s New Frontier Program and His Struggles: Domestic plan focused on fighting poverty, improving education, and advancing civil rights, but faced congressional resistance.
• Peace Corps/Alliance for Progress: Programs launched to promote peace and economic development abroad.
• NASA/Neil Armstrong/Moon Landing: Kennedy’s commitment to space exploration led to the Apollo program; Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969 (after Kennedy’s death).
• Poverty Issue and Civil Rights During Kennedy Years: Advocated for civil rights and poverty reduction, but progress was limited.
• November 22, 1963: Date President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Section 3: The Great Society (pg. 686–693)
• Lyndon B. Johnson and His Success: Became president after Kennedy’s assassination and pushed forward major social reforms.
• Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964: Landmark laws aimed at ending segregation and protecting voting rights for African Americans.
• LBJ’s “War on Poverty”: Programs designed to reduce poverty through education, healthcare, and job training.
• 1964 Presidential Election: Johnson won by a landslide, showing strong public support for his policies.
• LBJ’s Great Society Programs: Initiatives including Medicare, Medicaid, education funding, and housing assistance.
• Warren Court: Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren, known for rulings expanding civil rights, voting rights, and liberties. Chapter 22: The Vietnam War Years Section 1: Moving Toward Conflict (pg. 730-735)
• Ho Chi Minh: Leader of the Vietnamese nationalist and communist movement who fought against French colonial rule and later the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government.
• Vietminh & Vietcong:
  • Vietminh: Nationalist group fighting for Vietnamese independence from French rule.
  • Vietcong: Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam opposing the U.S.-backed government.
• French and Japanese Occupation of Vietnam: During WWII, Japan occupied Vietnam. After WWII, the French tried to reassert control, leading to the First Indochina War.
• Domino Theory: The belief that if one country in Southeast Asia fell to communism, others would follow, which motivated U.S. involvement.
• Geneva Accords and the 17th Parallel: The 1954 agreement that temporarily divided Vietnam into communist North (led by Ho Chi Minh) and non-communist South at the 17th parallel, pending elections that never happened.
• Weaknesses of Ngo Dinh Diem: The U.S.-backed South Vietnamese president whose unpopular policies and authoritarian rule weakened his government.
• Ho Chi Minh Trail: A network of supply routes through Laos and Cambodia used by North Vietnam to support the Vietcong in the South.
• Kennedy and Vietnam: Increased U.S. military advisors to support South Vietnam during the early 1960s.
• LBJ and the Tonkin Gulf Resolution: Passed in 1964 after alleged attacks on U.S. ships, it gave President Johnson broad authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.
• Operation Rolling Thunder: A sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam launched by the U.S. starting in 1965. Section 2: U.S. Involvement Escalates (pg. 736-741)
• General William Westmoreland: U.S. commander in Vietnam who advocated for a war of attrition to wear down the Vietcong.
• Jungle Warfare and Use of Napalm and Agent Orange:
  • Napalm: A flammable liquid used in bombs to destroy jungle cover.
  • Agent Orange: A herbicide used to defoliate forests but caused severe health problems.
• Search-and-Destroy Missions: U.S. strategy to seek out and kill Vietcong fighters, often leading to destruction of villages and civilian suffering.
• Sinking Morale of Soldiers: Prolonged fighting and unclear objectives caused many U.S. soldiers to become demoralized.
• “Living-room war” and the Credibility Gap: Media coverage brought the brutal realities of war into American homes, leading to public distrust of official government reports. Section 3: A Nation Divided (pg. 742-747)
• Manipulating the Draft - “Working Class” War: Many draftees came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, leading to accusations of unfairness.
• African Americans in Vietnam: Disproportionate numbers of African Americans were drafted and served in combat roles, sparking civil rights concerns.
• New Left: A political movement of mainly young people who opposed the war and sought social change.
• SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) and FSM (Free Speech Movement): Student groups organizing protests against the war and for civil rights.
• “Teach-ins” (Ann Arbor): Informal discussions and protests on college campuses educating students about the war’s issues.
• Protests/Marches and Growing Anti-war Movement: Large demonstrations calling for U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam.
• Doves and Hawks:
  • Doves: Opposed the war and favored peace negotiations.
  • Hawks: Supported continuing or escalating the war effort. Section 4: 1968: A Tumultuous Year (pg. 748-753)
• Tet Offensive: A massive coordinated attack by North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces during the Vietnamese New Year in 1968. Militarily a failure for communists but a psychological blow to U.S. public opinion.
• LBJ Withdraws: President Johnson announced he would not seek re-election amid growing war unpopularity.
• Robert Kennedy’s Decision to Run for President: Entered the 1968 race advocating for peace and social justice.
• MLK, Jr. and RFK Assassinations: The murders of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy shocked the nation.
• Democratic National Convention: Marked by violent clashes between police and anti-war protesters in Chicago.
• Nixon’s Victory: Richard Nixon won the 1968 presidential election promising "peace with honor." Section 5: The End of the War and Its Legacy (pg. 754-761)
• Henry Kissinger and Vietnamization: Nixon’s policy to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and transfer combat roles to South Vietnamese forces.
• Silent Majority: Term used by Nixon to describe Americans who supported his Vietnam policies quietly, opposing anti-war protests.
• My Lai Massacre and Invasion of Cambodia: The 1968 massacre of Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers and the expansion of the war into Cambodia fueled outrage.
• Kent State University (May 4, 1970): National Guard shot and killed four student protesters during anti-war demonstrations.
• Pentagon Papers: Classified documents leaked in 1971 revealing government deception about the war’s progress.
• Fall of Saigon: In 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War and reunification of Vietnam under communist control.
• War Powers Act: Passed in 1973 to limit the president’s ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval.

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