Unit 6: Chapter 24

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. domino theory
    idea that communist nations will convert neighboring nations
    The domino theory, described above, refers to the fear that if one Southeast Asian nation fell to the Communists, the others would also fall.
  2. accord
    a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
    As a result of the Geneva Accords, Vietnam was divided into two separate nations in July 1954.
  3. liberation
    the act of freeing someone or something
    Communist guerrillas in the south, known as Viet Cong, and their political arm, called the National Liberation Front, gained control of more territory and earned the loyalty of an increasing number of the South Vietnamese people.
  4. resolution
    a formal expression by a meeting, agreed to by a vote
    Congress passed this Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on August 7 by a vote of 416 to 0 in the House of Representatives and 88 to 2 in the Senate.
  5. mine
    explosive device that explodes on contact
    The pressure of a footstep could set off a land mine—an explosive device planted in the ground.
  6. saturation bombing
    extensive targeting intended to devastate a large area
    During air raids, these planes could drop thousands of tons of explosives over large areas. This saturation bombing tore North Vietnam apart.
  7. fragmentation
    the scattering of bomb shards after the bomb explodes
    Many of these bombs used in these raids threw pieces of their thick metal casings in all directions when they exploded. These fragmentation bombs were not confined to the north alone.
  8. napalm
    gasoline jelled with aluminum soaps for use in bombs
    Another destructive chemical used in Vietnam was called napalm. When dropped from airplanes, this jellylike substance splattered and burned uncontrollably.
  9. escalation
    an increase or intensification
    After winning the election in 1964, President Johnson started a gradual military escalation, or expansion, of the war.
  10. hawk
    an advocate of an aggressive policy on foreign relations
    As the war unfolded, it came under increasing criticism at home from both hawks—those who supported the war—and doves—those who opposed the war.
  11. dove
    someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict
    As the war unfolded, it came under increasing criticism at home from both hawks—those who supported the war—and doves—those who opposed the war.
  12. offensive
    the action of attacking an enemy
    The Tet Offensive, shown on the map on the previous page, included surprise attacks on major cities and towns and American military bases throughout South Vietnam.
  13. generation
    all the people living at the same time or of the same age
    The early 1960s saw a widening of this generation gap.
  14. teach-in
    a political discussion involving audience participation
    The first teach-in took place at the University of Michigan in March 1965 when a group of faculty members decided to make a public statement against the war.
  15. conscientious objector
    one who refuses to serve in the army on moral grounds
    Most who did were conscientious objectors who opposed fighting in the war on moral or religious grounds.
  16. deferment
    act of putting off to a future time
    College students could receive a deferment, or official postponement of their call to serve.
Created on Wed Jul 28 09:59:48 EDT 2021 (updated Fri Jul 30 11:25:21 EDT 2021)

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