End of the Vietnam War

March 25, 2010

• 1968: Nixon president1. Unpopular war2. Americans angry about warPeace Talks• U.S. want:– All communist troops out of

South Vietnam– POWs returned

• North Vietnam want:– U.S. out of Vietnam– New gov’t in South Vietnam (but

with Vietcong members)• North Vietnam & South

Vietnam refuse to budge

• Nixon refuses N. Vietnam PEACE plans– Peace with Honor

• Vietnamization– U.S. gradually remove troops– South Vietnam troops fight own

battles• 1970: sick of waiting for

peace– Bomb Ho Chi Minh Trail (trail to

supply Vietcong)– Attack North Vietnam &

Vietcong

Violence at home• Kent State University– Students throw rocks/

bottles at Nat’l Guard– 4 students shot dead

1971: My Lai• U.S. looking for Vietcong– In past: many U.S. killed/

injured by Vietcong posing as civilians

• U.S. shoot & kill unarmed civilians (400-500)– Some soldiers did NOT

participate

• 1971: Pentagon Papers– U.S. involvement in Vietnam– Uninformed/ lied to Congress

• 1971: 2/3 Americans want troops withdrawn– Even if Communists take over

• Nixon: to win re-election in 1972 (need to exit war)

• October 1972: U.S. & N. Vietnam PEACE– Cease fire– U.S. withdraw from S. Vietnam– POWs returned (550)– N. Vietnam to stay in S. Vietnam

• November 1972: Nixon wins re-election

• For U.S. – War Over• For Vietnam – NOT Over

– Don’t obey cease-fire• 1975: Vietnam unified (comm.)• Death Toll

– U.S. – 58,000 (300,000 injured)– Vietnam – 2 million dead

• Did Communism Spread???– Yes (but not as bad as thought)– Laos and Cambodia turn comm.

• No appreciation to returning troops– No warmth/ No parades– Physical/ psychological issues

• $$$ + Death Toll = Distrust Leaders• War Powers Act: President must consult

Congress within 48 hours if send troops to foreign conflict

• U.S. – No Foreign INVOLVEMENT– Don’t want another “Vietnam”