1. Chapter 29 Section 4 The Vietnam War Riddlebarger
The War Ends
Chapter 29
Section 4
The Vietnam War
Riddlebarger

2. “I will not be the first president of the United States to lose a war
Madman Theory

3. Widening the War
Nixon had pledged to end the war during the 1968 campaign
In office, he and his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, make plans to do so.
1969: Kissinger secretly begins negotiations.
Both sides still reluctant to give in to each other’s demands.

4. Vietnamization
The secret negotiations are part of Nixon strategy to achieve “peace with honor.”
Part of this plan is vietnamization
Turning more of the fighting in Vietnam to the South Vietnam Army while gradually bringing home U.S. troops.
Nixon hoped this would allow South Vietnam government time to grow stronger
Or, at the least, allow U.S. to get out before seemingly embarrassing defeat.

5. Troop Withdrawal
Nixon begins slowly withdrawing U.S. troops from Vietnam.
540,000 American troops in Vietnam when he became president
Only 24,000 remain by 1972
Vietnamization doesn’t make antiwar protesters happy because it still doesn’t end war immediately.
Nixon felt he had the support of the silent majority

6. Cambodia
While Nixon was withdrawing U.S. troops, he secretly expanded the war.
Early 1969: orders bombing of Cambodia
Goal: to disrupt the flow of supplies on Ho Chi Minh Trail
Decision is kept secret from public & some government leaders.

7. Further Expansion 1970: US & ARVN troops enter Cambodia.
1971: go into Laos.
Renew bombing of North to try to pressure them to seek peace.
Madman Theory
Nixon, like Johnson, underestimated North’s will to win
Even after Ho dies (1969)
1972: Northern invasion of South

8. Increasing Protests
April 30, 1970, Nixon announces that he had sent troops into Cambodia
Breaks law
Causes an increase in protests
Especially on college campuses

9. Campus Violence
video

10. Kent State
May 2, 1970: anti-war protesters at Kent State set fire to ROTC building.
Gov. James Rhodes sends in National Guard to keep order
May 4: Students gather for anti-war demonstration
Troops order them to disperse
Some protesters throw rocks & shout insults.
Several soldier fire into crowd
Four killed; 9 injured (some weren’t even protesters)

11. Jackson State
Jackson State (Mississippi) protests take place 9 days after Kent St.
State police fire at protesters in dorm
2 dead; 9 wounded
Images of these 2 events horrify many Americans
Causes strikes on campuses all across country.

12. Anti-War Movement Goes On
Nixon is convinced protesters make up all small part of population
This is true but growing number of Americans are turning against war.
Growing number of middle-class join anti-war side (not just college kids now)
Oct. 16, 1969: millions join in national day of protest
Nov. 1969: largest anti-war rally in U.S. history: 250,000 march on Washington

13. Veterans Protest April 1971: Veterans hold protest in Washington
About 800 gather and throw down war medals they had won.
Never before had returning soldiers so strongly opposed a war they had fought in.

14. Some feel demonstrations don’t do enough to end the war.
Radical Protests
Some feel demonstrations don’t do enough to end the war.
They will turn to more violent methods
The Weathermen set off over 5000 bombs in places such as Pentagon, U.S. Capital & New York police station
Violent encounter with Chicago police leaves some dead
Most anti-war protesters didn’t support such extreme actions

15. My Lai Late 1969: Americans learn of My Lai Massacre
March 1968: American troops under Lt. William Calley on a search & destroy mission to find Vietcong enter My Lai
Find no Vietcong
Soldiers killed at least 450 women, children & elderly men

16. Troubling Revelations
The government tried to keep My Lai incident quiet
Eventually, by 1969, it leaked out
Lt. Calley charged with murder & later found guilty
My Lai helped divide between anti-war and war supporters grow wider.

17. Pentagon Papers 1971: another story boosts anti-war movement
Secret government documents leaked that trace history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam
Pentagon Papers reveal government had been misleading the public about the war for years.
Nixon is angered and embarrassed about leak.

18. End of U.S. Involvement
In 1972, Nixon campaigns for re-election while continuing to try to bring “peace with honor” in Vietnam
His Democratic challenger, George McGovern, is a critic of the war.
October 1972

19. George McGovern McGovern insists on an immediate end to the war
Hoped 26th Amendment would help him
Changed voting age from 21 to 18
He had lots of young supporters

20. Nixon Re-election campaign
Nixon stresses law & order and quick end to war in Vietnam
Just weeks before the election, Kissinger announces “peace is at hand.”

21. 1972 Election
Announcement of possible peace helps Nixon win in a landslide.

22. A Peace Agreement
Despite Kissinger’s prediction, peace talks break down.
To get them going again, Nixon orders 24-hour bombing of North Vietnam
“Christmas Bombing” in late 1972 fails to sway North Vietnamese
Jan. 1973: Agreement is reached to end fighting for US troops
U.S. withdraws all troops; Both sides return POW
Agreement did not address future of South Vietnam.

23. Legacy of Vietnam 2 years later, North Vietnam invades South
April 1975: they take Saigon (South capital)
U.S. helps evacuate many South Vietnamese who helped us; some are left
April 30: South surrenders
Vietnam re-united under Communists

24. Cambodian Violence Communist forces take over Cambodia:
Khmer Rouge
They kill 1.5 million in attempt to control the country.
Vietnam invades Cambodia and overthrows Khmer Rouge.
Vietnam controls country from

25. Wars Effect on SE Asia Large numbers killed
185,000 ARVN
450,000 South Vietnamese civilians
Estimated 1 million VC/NVA
Severe environmental damage
Bombings and defoliants contaminate water and food
Vietnamese refugees

26. Effects on Veterans About 58,000 Americans killed in Vietnam.
Over 600 held as POW’s.
Some tortured and held in solitary confinement.
Many come home paralyzed or severely wounded
Thanks, in part, to medical advances
Impact of Agent Orange
Cancer, birth defects
Unwelcome homecoming for Vets
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

27. Wars Political Impact
In the end, U.S. failed to keep communists from taking South Vietnam
This came at a cost of over $150 billion
Greatly increased national debt
Sparked inflation
Increased distrust in government
War Powers Act (1973)

28. Healing From the War
Coming to terms with Vietnam has been an ongoing process for Americans.
Vietnam Memorial dedicated in 1982
U.S. and Vietnam resume normal relations in 1995.

29. The Three Soldiers statue at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Washington, D.C. - wikipedia niece