1. Chapter 22 The Vietnam War years State Standards 11.9.3, 11.9.4

2. The End of the War January 1969, Nixon negotiates with North January 1969, Nixon negotiates with North Wanted North to withdraw from South & allow South government to remain in power Wanted North to withdraw from South & allow South government to remain in power National Security Advisor – Henry Kissinger National Security Advisor – Henry Kissinger Created plan to withdrawal U.S. forces for Vietnam Created plan to withdrawal U.S. forces for Vietnam

3. Nixon wanted “Peace with Honor” Nixon wanted “Peace with Honor” Silent majority – moderate, mainstream Americans who supported war Silent majority – moderate, mainstream Americans who supported war Vietnamization – gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops in order for South Vietnam to take over Vietnamization – gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops in order for South Vietnam to take over 1969, Nixon “We have to get rid of the nightmares we inherited” 1969, Nixon “We have to get rid of the nightmares we inherited” Three years dropped from 500,000 to 25,000 soldiers Three years dropped from 500,000 to 25,000 soldiers

4. My Lai Massacre, November 1969 My Lai Massacre, November 1969 New York Times Symore Hersh reported New York Times Symore Hersh reported March 16, 1968 – U.S. platoon massacred innocent civilians March 16, 1968 – U.S. platoon massacred innocent civilians Lieutenant William Calley Jr. Lieutenant William Calley Jr. Looking for Vietcong, killed 200 women, children & elderly Looking for Vietcong, killed 200 women, children & elderly Sentenced to imprisonment Sentenced to imprisonment Platoon, only following orders Platoon, only following orders

7. Invasion of Cambodia Invasion of Cambodia April 30, 1970, U.S. invades Cambodia April 30, 1970, U.S. invades Cambodia Wanted to clear out supply centers for Vietcong Wanted to clear out supply centers for Vietcong College students protest College students protest First general strike in U.S. history by students First general strike in U.S. history by students 1.5 students closed down 1200 campuses 1.5 students closed down 1200 campuses December 31, 1970 December 31, 1970 Congress repeals Tonkin Gulf Resolution Congress repeals Tonkin Gulf Resolution

9. Kent State, Ohio Kent State, Ohio Burned down ROTC building Burned down ROTC building May 4, 1970 National Guard fired live rounds at protestors (protestors had rocks) May 4, 1970 National Guard fired live rounds at protestors (protestors had rocks) Nine wounded, four killed (including two innocent bystanders) Nine wounded, four killed (including two innocent bystanders) 10 days later – Jackson State (MS) 10 days later – Jackson State (MS) 12 wounded, 2 killed (both innocent bystanders) 12 wounded, 2 killed (both innocent bystanders)

14. Pentagon Papers June, 1971 - Daniel Ellsberg (former defense department worker) June, 1971 - Daniel Ellsberg (former defense department worker) Released Top Secret information to New York Times Released Top Secret information to New York Times Revealed Revealed government knowledge, that war would not likely be won government knowledge, that war would not likely be won war would lead to many times more casualties than was ever admitted publicly. war would lead to many times more casualties than was ever admitted publicly. high-ranking officials disregard for the loss of life and injury suffered by soldiers and civilians. high-ranking officials disregard for the loss of life and injury suffered by soldiers and civilians. Showed that LBJ had planned to bomb North Vietnam well before the 1964 Election. Showed that LBJ had planned to bomb North Vietnam well before the 1964 Election.

15. Polls showed 60% of Americans wanted war over Polls showed 60% of Americans wanted war over Kissinger pushes for complete withdrawal of North Vietnamese troops before U.S. Kissinger pushes for complete withdrawal of North Vietnamese troops before U.S. October 26, 1972 “Peace is in hand” October 26, 1972 “Peace is in hand” Christmas Bombing Christmas Bombing 100,000 bombs dropped on North over 11 days. 100,000 bombs dropped on North over 11 days. January 27, 1973 U.S. signs “Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” January 27, 1973 U.S. signs “Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” North Vietnamese stayed in South North Vietnamese stayed in South U.S. promised to respond “with full force” to violation of peace agreement U.S. promised to respond “with full force” to violation of peace agreement March 29, 1973 last U.S. combat troops went home March 29, 1973 last U.S. combat troops went home

16. Cease fire collapsed after months… Cease fire collapsed after months… March, 1975 North Vietnamese launched full-scale invasion against South March, 1975 North Vietnamese launched full-scale invasion against South Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (President of South Vietnam) asked for American help… Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (President of South Vietnam) asked for American help… U.S. sends economic aid only U.S. sends economic aid only President Gerald Ford (VP under Nixon) President Gerald Ford (VP under Nixon) “America can regain its sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by refighting a war that is finished as far as America is concerned” April 30, 1975 North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon and took city April 30, 1975 North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon and took city South Vietnam surrenders to the North South Vietnam surrenders to the North

18. South Vietnam South Vietnam Communist imprisoned 400,000 in reeducation centers Communist imprisoned 400,000 in reeducation centers 1.5 million fled Vietnam 1.5 million fled Vietnam 50,000 boat people died escaping by sea 50,000 boat people died escaping by sea Cambodia Cambodia Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot (Communist) take control in 1975 Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot (Communist) take control in 1975 Killed estimated 1 million people Killed estimated 1 million people

19. Legacy of Vietnam 58,169 Americans died 58,169 Americans died 304,000 wounded 304,000 wounded 1 out of 10 a casualty 1 out of 10 a casualty North and South Vietnamese lost 2 million North and South Vietnamese lost 2 million Soldiers came home to divided America Soldiers came home to divided America 15% of 2.59 million soldiers developed post-traumatic stress disorder 15% of 2.59 million soldiers developed post-traumatic stress disorder Others used drugs or committed suicide Others used drugs or committed suicide 1982, Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. 1982, Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

24. Major U.S. policy changes Major U.S. policy changes 1. Abolished draft 2. November 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Act – President must inform Congress within 48 hours of send forces into a hostile area without a declaration of war. – Troops can only stay 90 days – Purpose to restrict power of the president