VIETNAM

1973 Peace Treaty & Continuing war U.S. troops exit war N.& S. Vietnam remain divided Fighting continued between N.& S. Without U.S. aide, South quickly fell to N. Vietnamese forces in 1975 North takes Saigon and ends war U.S. refuses to recognize the united communist Vietnam

2.7 million men & women served many experienced feelings of guilt, disrespect, responsibility distrustful of government some experienced problems with drugs, alcohol, joblessness, broken homes, and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) Effects on U.S. Soldiers…

58,000 American deaths Between $150 & $200 billion spent Polarized American people Led to political distrust (suspicion of government) Americans doubtful of foreign affairs Tarnished reputation of U.S. Effects on American society

Americans deceived… Pentagon Papers Daniel Ellsberg, a former researcher for the government, photo-copied classified documents called the “Pentagon Papers” Papers documented American involvement in Vietnam Papers showed that the government had lied to the American public & Congress about what was going on in Vietnam to try and gain support Publication led to Nixon’s paranoia and illegal acts…

Election of 1972 Nixon was fearful that protest movement & Pentagon Papers discredited him & that he would not be re-elected Set out to “destroy” these groups Orders a series of “dirty tricks” (wiretaps, CIA surveillance, domestic spying, lying to the public, break-ins, illegal campaign contributions, and money laundering ) Led to “Watergate” – term used to describe all of Nixon’s dirty tricks and the resulting impeachment and resignation of Nixon Solidified Americans distrust of the government

 stopped blocking of international loans  lifted trade embargo  opening of embassies  established full diplomatic relations U.S. & Vietnam Today Clinton normalized relations with Vietnam Vietnam is currently a united country with the communist party remaining dominant in politics

We Will Never Forget… Vietnam Veteran Memorial Washington D.C.