American History Chapter 31: The Vietnam War IV. The End of the War

Bellringer Do you think it is 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?

Objectives Learn how President Nixon’s policies led to the American withdrawal from Vietnam. Discover why President Nixon campaigned promising to restore law and order. See what happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces. Determine the legacy of the Vietnam War.

Setting the Scene Nixon asked the US’s “silent majority” what to do about Vietnam. 1.Bring the troops home immediately with no thought about the consequences 2.Keep gradually bringing troops home and finishing Vietnamization. “Its not the easy way, but the right way”

A) Nixon’s Vietnam Policy 1)Paris Peace Talks: talks that began in 1968 to end the Vietnam War.

a) Withdrawing Troops June of 1969 – a new Nixon policy 2)Vietnamization: removing American forces and replacing them with South Vietnamese soldiers. Total troops decrease to 24,000 by 1972 Did increase bombings of peninsula

b) The War Spreads to Cambodia US attacks Cambodia to fight Vietcong. Vietcong attacking South from Cambodia More protests for “escalating war” Nixon wanted more strength at bargaining table

B) Nixon Calls for Law and Order 1969 – faction of SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) called the Weathermen turned violent. Marched against police in Chicago. Violence turned Americans against antiwar movement.

a) The Silent Majority Some Americans didn’t protest, not radical, loved their country, and for war. Didn’t get press coverage. 3)Silent Majority: large groups of Americans for the war.

b) Kent State and Jackson State More protests after US invasion of Cambodia Kent State (Ohio): students burned down the ROTC building, threw rocks at national guard soldiers – soldiers fired – 4 dead Jackson State (all Black) MS: students and police – 2 dead 100,000 construction workers marched in NY in support of the President

C) American Withdrawal Nixon won re-election in 1972 Before election – Kissinger announced “peace is at hand” By January 1973 signed a cease fire 1.US withdraw troops in 60 days 2.All POW’s released 3.No activities in Laos and Cambodia 4.17 th parallel would divide the country

D) Aftermath of the War in Asia US left during 1973 Thought technology and money could win wars

a) South Vietnam Falls South Vietnam falls in 1975 US carried out a dramatic last minute evacuation Vietnam one single country under Communism

b) Southeast Asia After the War Domino theory – Laos and Cambodia fell to communism – but no others Cambodia – Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot took over – killed ¼ of population over 1.5 million Vietnam forced people to “re- education” camps 1.5 million people left peninsula “boat people”

E) The Legacy of the War 58,000 American killed – 300,000 wounded 2,500 POW’s – and MIA’s Soldiers reception was nothing – no parades

a) Counting the Costs Longest and least successful war in US history 150 billion dollars spent More bombs dropped than in WWII 1994 – US ended trade embargo and engaged in diplomatic relations

b) The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Complete in old college student from Yale: Maya Ying Lin Black, see your reflection– all names in order killed – “scar” – long, not tall – can see all the names

Review How did President Nixon’s policies lead to American withdrawal from Vietnam? Why did President Nixon campaign promising to restore law and order? What happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces? What was the legacy of the Vietnam War? Key Terms: Paris Peace talks, Vietnamization, silent majority, POW, MIA