Think About Should a government seek to end an unpopular war? If so, what’s the best way to do so? Should a government seek to end an unpopular war? If so, what’s the best way to do so?

Fortunate Son (1969) Some folks are born made to wave the flag, Ooh, theyre red, white and blue. And when the band plays hail to the chief, Ooh, they point the cannon at you, lord, It aint me, it aint me, I aint no senators son, son. It aint me, it aint me; I aint no fortunate one, no,

Fortunate Son (1969) Some folks are born silver spoon in hand, Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh. But when the taxman comes to the door, Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes, It aint me, it aint me, I aint no millionaires son, It aint me, it aint me; I aint no fortunate one, no.

Fortunate Son (1969) Some folks inherit star spangled eyes, Ooh, they send you down to war, lord, And when you ask them, how much should we give? Ooh, they only answer more! more! more! yoh, It aint me, it aint me, I aint no military son, son. It aint me, it aint me; I aint no fortunate one, one.

Nixon and The Vietnam War

Election of 1968: Republicans Nelson Rockefeller Liberal, Anti-war Richard Nixon Moderate, Cold Warrior Ronald Reagan Conservative

Election of 1968: Republicans Spiro Agnew, Governor of Maryland is chosen as VP running mate

Election of 1968: Democrats Hubert Humphrey Johnson’s VP Eugene McCarthy Sen. From Minnesota Antiwar

Ed Muskie, Senator from Maine, Environmentalist, chosen as VP candidate

Election of 1968: Independent George Wallace, Democrat, forms American Independent Party to slow desegregation

1968: Results

Vietnamization Nixon says he has “secret plan” to end war Nixon says he has “secret plan” to end war Plan: Plan: –US reduces ground forces, giving over more and more responsibility to SV –US increases air campaign –Known as “Vietnamization”

Politics of Polarization Spiro Agnew is Nixon’s “hatchet man” Spiro Agnew is Nixon’s “hatchet man” Called protestors “un- American” Called protestors “un- American” Claimed media bias Claimed media bias

The Silent Majority And so tonight-- to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans-- I ask for your support. I pledged in my campaign for the Presidency to end the war in a way that we could win the peace. I have initiated a plan of action which will enable me to keep that pledge. The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed; for the more divided we are at home, the less likely, the enemy is to negotiate at Paris. Let us be united for peace. Let us also be united against defeat. Because let us understand: North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that. -- Pres. Nixon, Nov. 3, 1969

Expanding the War Nixon orders air force to bomb targets in Cambodia and Laos Nixon orders air force to bomb targets in Cambodia and Laos –Ho Chi Minh trail used to move troops and supplies from North to South –Expansion of war into neutral countries angers many in US

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, We're finally on our own. This summer I hear the drumming, Four dead in Ohio. Gotta get down to it Soldiers are cutting us down Should have been done long ago. What if you knew her And found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know? Gotta get down to it Soldiers are cutting us down Should have been done long ago. What if you knew her And found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know? Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, We're finally on our own. This summer I hear the drumming, Four dead in Ohio. Ohio Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (1970)

Kent State University May 4, 1970 Protest against expanding war into Cambodia Protest against expanding war into Cambodia Ohio National Guard kills 4 students Ohio National Guard kills 4 students –2 not part of protest Public divided Public divided

Pentagon Papers Secret Dept. of Defense history of Vietnam War in 1960s Secret Dept. of Defense history of Vietnam War in 1960s Leaked to NY Times Leaked to NY Times People lose trust People lose trust

End of War Even though US forces were reduced, Nixon continued war until 1973 Even though US forces were reduced, Nixon continued war until : Christmas Bombings 1972: Christmas Bombings –Nixon orders bombing of NV cities Nixon feels pressure to settle and get out Nixon feels pressure to settle and get out –Paris Peace Agreement, January 23, 1973

The Fall of Saigon April 30, 1975 April 30, 1975 US Diplomats try to evacuate as many SV staff workers as possible, right up until NV troops take city US Diplomats try to evacuate as many SV staff workers as possible, right up until NV troops take city SV basically abandoned to North SV basically abandoned to North The end of the war The end of the war

Think About Did the US lose the war in Vietnam? Why or why not? Did the US lose the war in Vietnam? Why or why not?