Chapter 29: America during its Longest War 1963-1974

Chapter 29: America during its Longest War 1963-1974

1. What were the goals and policies of the Great Society?

Johnsons Great Society sought to alleviate poverty, launch or enhance Medicare, Medicaid, legal aid, job study programs, and barred discrimination on the bases of race and gender.

2. Why did the US become involved in the war in Vietnam?

He responded to exaggerated reports about communist threats close to home. The containment's policy and domino theory warned the communist against expansion, the danger of involvement by China or the Soviet Union, and the authorization of an air war in northern Vietnam (Gulf of Tonkin Resolution).

3. What were the consequences of America's involvement in the Vietnam War for its economy and social fabric?

The devastation at the countryside had greatly destabilized the economy. The pacification, or rounding up of Vietnamese farmers caused even further chaos and Buddhist priests consistently demonstrated against foreign influence. It had also become a living room war as many retained information from the media.

4. What were the sources of domestic dissent, especially among young people, during the 1960s?

During the 1960s, the youth began to rebel against conventional ways and sought to expand their minds with the influence of drugs, rock music, and living alternative lives. The movement of movements epitomized this dissent through two ideals: faith in political group pluralism and parallel conviction that deeply held spiritual beliefs ultimately united rather than divided. These movements exemplified anti establishment, ridiculing traditional attitudes and urged a less regimented take on life (counterculture).

5. How did Watergate ultimately force Nixon's resignation from the Presidency?

Nixon manipulated his resources to form his own secret intelligence agency known as the plumbers to and gained money illegally to silence those aware of his dirty secrets. However when his secrets were being leaked to the media about the location of the political espionage scandal he resigned.

Terms:

OEO:

Mandated loans for work training programs called the job corps, created VISTA, a domestic vision of peace corps, provided low wage jobs for young people, began a work study program to assist with college students, and authorized the creation of federally funded social programs to be planned in concert with local community groups. The Office of Economic Opportunity.

Civil Rights Act:

Denied federal funding to segregated schools and barred discrimination of gender and race.

EEOC:

Equal Economic Opportunity Commission monitored the civil rights act.

Freedom Summer:

The summer when a coalition of civil rights groups enlisted young volunteers for voter registration campaign in Mississippi.

HUD:

The department of Housing and Urban Development built on earlier plans for coordinating urban revitalization programs.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution:

Provided authorization for air warfare on Northern Vietnam after US destroyers rumored to be attacked by torpedoes. This essentially expanded the Vietnamese war.

Domino Effect:

Johnsons speculation on the withdrawal from Asia causing communist insurgencies in Latin America to increase Soviet pressure on West Berlin and damage US credibility around the world.

Hawks and Doves:

Hawks were supporters of the intensified military efforts in the Vietnam War. Doves opposed the military action and wanted to quickly end US involvement.

New Left:

Countercultural movement of young juveniles going against the conventional regimented ways of living.

Port Hurston Statement:

The pledge to fight the loneliness of isolation that afflicted so many people. Declaring that the dominant insider culture valued bureaucratic skill as opposed to citizen engagement, and economic growth over meaningful work.

Teach ins:

College campuses held forums of debate between supporters and opponents of Johnson’s policies in Vietnam.

Black Power:

The movement led by Malcolm X and MLK liberating Africans Americans and demanded their own sector of rights and amenities.

NLF:

National Liberation Front

Vietnamization:

Policy that placed the burdens of war on the Southern Vietnamese and allowed the US to withdraw its troops.

Stagflation:

Condition of both economic stagnation and price inflation that struck America in 1971.

Rachel Carson:

Questioned the use of pesticides and helped to stimulate the modern environmental movement. Best known for her book Silent Spring.

Miranda vs. Arizona:

Archibald Cox:

Involved in Nixon’s Watergate operation and cover-up. Was fired immediately after his resignation. 

NOW:

Roe vs. Wade:

The decisions that left much controversy regarding a women's privacy of an abortion. Abortion being illegal violated a women's privacy, it flustered many pro-life rally activists.

SALT:

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks were conversations between the two superpowers regarding the limitation of the development of missiles.

My Lai:

Shortly after the 1968 Tet episode, the South Viet hamlet of My Lai was raided by troops massacring 200 civilians.

VVAW:

CREEP:

Committee to Re-elect President was a campaign organization that secretly raised millions in illegal contributions.

John Sirica:

Republican appointee presiding over the trial of the Watergate burglars who pushed for further information to find that Nixon’s attorney general had engage in illegal activities and was head of CREEP.

John Dean:

Chief legal council whose testimony linked Nixon to covering up Watergate.

Saturday Night Massacre:

The night that every member of Nixon’s cabinet and secret Plumbers unit was fired.