The War Winds Down

Nixon Moves to End the War Henry Kissinger was appointed special assistant for national affairs. Henry Kissinger was appointed special assistant for national affairs. He started a policy called linkage He started a policy called linkage – Improvement in USSR/China relations to persuade them to cut back their assistance to N Vietnam.

Nixon Moves to End the War Nixon began cutting the number of troops in Vietnam Nixon began cutting the number of troops in Vietnam Vietnamization Vietnamization –

Turmoil at Home Continues November 1969, the American media reported that a US platoon had massacred more than 200 unarmed civilians in My Lai November 1969, the American media reported that a US platoon had massacred more than 200 unarmed civilians in My Lai – es/my_lai.html es/my_lai.html es/my_lai.html This increased the feelings that the war was brutal and senseless This increased the feelings that the war was brutal and senseless

A Rise in Protests In May 1970, at Kent State University, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on students protesting. In May 1970, at Kent State University, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on students protesting. – 4 were killed

The Pentagon Papers The Pentagon Papers In 1970, Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution In 1970, Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution In 1971 the Pentagon Papers were leaked to the public In 1971 the Pentagon Papers were leaked to the public

The Pentagon Papers Showed that many government officials had privately questioned the war while publically defending it. Showed that many government officials had privately questioned the war while publically defending it. Proved that the government had not been honest with the American people. Proved that the government had not been honest with the American people.

The United States Pulls Out of Vietnam Nixon won re-election in 1971 Nixon won re-election in 1971 – Peace talks soon followed S Vietnam reluctantly agreed to allow N Vietnamese soldiers to remain in the South. S Vietnam reluctantly agreed to allow N Vietnamese soldiers to remain in the South.

The United States Pulls Out of Vietnam January 27, 1973 an agreement is signed to end the war. January 27, 1973 an agreement is signed to end the war. The US agreed to withdraw all troops The US agreed to withdraw all troops – Our direct involvement in Vietnam was over.

North Takes South March 1975, shortly after US troops pulled out of Vietnam, the N Vietcong launched a full- scale invasion of the South March 1975, shortly after US troops pulled out of Vietnam, the N Vietcong launched a full- scale invasion of the South President Ford asked Congress for funds to help, but Congress refused President Ford asked Congress for funds to help, but Congress refused

North Takes South April 30, 1975: North Vietnam captures Saigon (South Vietnamese capital) April 30, 1975: North Vietnam captures Saigon (South Vietnamese capital)

The Legacy of Vietnam $170 Billion spent $170 Billion spent 58,000 US casualties 58,000 US casualties 300,000 injured 300,000 injured Over 1 million N and S Vietnamese soldiers and civilians dead Over 1 million N and S Vietnamese soldiers and civilians dead Many Americans saw the war as a defeat Many Americans saw the war as a defeat

The War Powers Act Passed in 1973 Passed in 1973 Required: Required: – the president to notify Congress of any commitment of troops within 48 hours – And to withdraw troops in days unless Congress approved the commitment.

Aftermath Americans became reluctant to involve the US in affairs of other nations Americans became reluctant to involve the US in affairs of other nations Government cynicism greatly increased Government cynicism greatly increased