American Government Chapter 31: The Vietnam War IV. The End of the War
Objectives Learn how President Nixon’s policies led to American withdrawal from Vietnam. Learn how President Nixon’s policies led to American withdrawal from Vietnam. Discover why President Nixon campaigned promising to restore law and order. Discover why President Nixon campaigned promising to restore law and order. See what happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces. See what happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces. Determine the legacy of the Vietnam War. Determine the legacy of the Vietnam War.
Bellringer Is it possible for a United States President to continue a course of action strongly opposed by most of the American people? Is it possible for a United States President to continue a course of action strongly opposed by most of the American people? In what ways can the people make their opinions known to the President? In what ways can the people make their opinions known to the President?
How did President Nixon’s policies lead to American withdrawal from Vietnam? Paris Peace Talk – Kissinger met in Paris secretly to end war Paris Peace Talk – Kissinger met in Paris secretly to end war Withdrawing Troops – Starting in June 1969 – by 1972 – 24,000 troops Withdrawing Troops – Starting in June 1969 – by 1972 – 24,000 troops Vietnamization – let the South gradually take over the fighting Vietnamization – let the South gradually take over the fighting Attacked Cambodia because VC were attacking from there Attacked Cambodia because VC were attacking from there
Why did President Nixon campaign promising to restore law and order? Antiwar effort started getting violent – “Weathermen” in Chicago attacked police on purpose Antiwar effort started getting violent – “Weathermen” in Chicago attacked police on purpose Silent Majority – Nixon believed their was a large group of Americans for the war that were not protesting – wanted their vote Silent Majority – Nixon believed their was a large group of Americans for the war that were not protesting – wanted their vote Kent State and Jackson State – college protest turned bloody when Guard and police fired on protesters – end to violence Kent State and Jackson State – college protest turned bloody when Guard and police fired on protesters – end to violence
What happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces? US left in 1973 – South Vietnam fell in 1975 US left in 1973 – South Vietnam fell in 1975 US evacuated civilians until Saigon fell. US evacuated civilians until Saigon fell. Vietnam became a single nations Vietnam became a single nations Domino Theory – Cambodia and Laos fell – no more Domino Theory – Cambodia and Laos fell – no more “boat people” – 1.5 million people left area by boat – many came to US “boat people” – 1.5 million people left area by boat – many came to US
What was the legacy of the Vietnam War? 2,500 US POW and MIA - No parades - Cost US 150 billion 2,500 US POW and MIA - No parades - Cost US 150 billion More bombs fell on Vietnam than WWII More bombs fell on Vietnam than WWII Vietnamese dead – millions Vietnamese dead – millions 1994 – no sanctions – full trade status 1994 – no sanctions – full trade status Vietnam Veterans Memorial – built in 1982 – 21 year old Maya Ying Lin Vietnam Veterans Memorial – built in 1982 – 21 year old Maya Ying Lin Black – reflection, dead in order died Black – reflection, dead in order died
Review How did President Nixon’s policies lead to American withdrawal from Vietnam? How did President Nixon’s policies lead to American withdrawal from Vietnam? Why did President Nixon campaign promising to restore law and order? Why did President Nixon campaign promising to restore law and order? What happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces? What happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces? What was the legacy of the Vietnam War? What was the legacy of the Vietnam War?