1. Richard Nixon: The Cold Warrior
"Nixon's First Inaugural Address." Watergate.Info June 2007 <
“After a period of confrontation, we are entering an era of negotiation.” -Richard Nixon’s 1st Inaugural Address

2. Tricky Dick Nixon wins the 1968 election by a landslide
He had a reputation as a “Cold Warrior” that predated the McCarthy “Red Scare” of the 1950s
Nixon first gained national attention in 1948 when his investigation, as a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), broke theAlger Hiss spy case. While many doubted Whittaker Chambers' allegations that Hiss, a former State Department official, had been a Soviet spy, Nixon believed them to be true and pressed for the committee to continue its investigation.
He will continue his presence as a Cold Warrior as Eisehnower’s VP
Election of 1968: Nixon sees this as “his” year to win. He will run as a “law and order” candidate who promises to restore order to America after the riots and other turbulence of 1968.
His biggest fear during the election: LBJ will sign last minute peace agreement that will help Democrats win the election. How will he prevent this?

3. Even Trickier Dick
In order to prevent Dems from winning in ‘68, Nixon enlists the help of someone who would become key: Harvard Professor Henry Kissinger
Kissinger had many friends in LBJ’s administration and was constantly getting info about what Johnson’s administration was negotiating at a peace conference between N. Vietnam and S. Vietnam in Oct. ‘68…and then feeding it to NIXON!!
Why? Kissinger wanted a high level political position and believed Nixon would win the election.
He used foreign contacts to convince the S. Vietnamese to SABATOGE peace talks and that Nixon would better serve their interests.

4. The Nixon Doctrine (1969)
Nixon’s foreign policy belief is called “the Nixon Doctrine “
“It is not my belief that the way to peace is by giving up our friends or letting down our allies. On the contrary, our aim is to place America's international
commitments on a sustainable, long-term basis, to encourage local and regional initiatives, to foster national independence and self-sufficiency, and by so doing to strengthen the total fabric of peace.”
Duncan, David D. Richard Nixon Harry Ransom Center, Austin. HRC Online Exhibition. The University of Texas at Austin. 3 June 2007 <
"United State Foreign Policy for the 1970's." From Revolution to Reconstruction... and What Happened Afterwards. 6 Mar June 2007 <

5. The Nixon Doctrine (1969)
America will honor its treaties and provide aid to its allies, including protection against nuclear powers.
However, in other cases of aggression, such as insurrections or non-nuclear threats, America’s allies are expected to use their own manpower for their own defense.
America will still provide economic and limited military aid in such cases.
Most direct application: “Vietnamization”
"United State Foreign Policy for the 1970's." From Revolution to Reconstruction... and What Happened Afterwards. 6 Mar June 2007 <

6. Vietnamization
Nixon’s main policy in Vietnam was the process of “Vietnamization.”
It began right after he took office in 1969.
The process sought to save American lives and expenses through gradual withdrawal of forces and support from the Vietnam war.
It was the first troop withdrawal since President Johnson escalated troop presence.
Withdrew 70,000 in 1972.
It also attempted to transfer military assumption to South Vietnam.
Vietnam advisors insisted that South Vietnam could successfully defend against the North Vietnamese.
"Vietnamization: Lasting Effects of South Vietnam." Studyworld June 2007 <

7. Vietnamization Successes: Failures:
Brought home all the troops by end of 1973.
The South Vietnamese successfully defended themselves from without any U.S. support.
Failures:
Saigon fell to Communist forces on April 30, 1975.
America refused to respond to calls for help from the South Vietnamese leader.
Vietnam established a Socialist government, rendering U.S. involvement in the war futile.
"President Nixon's Role in Vietnam." The Vietnam War June 2007 <

8. American Troop Withdrawal
Simon, Dennis M. "The War in Vietnam, " Aug Southern Methodist University. 4 June 2007 <
Troop numbers shrunk from 500,000 in 1969 to 30,000 in 1972.

9. Discussion
Document 1: What problems did Nixon face in 1969? Why was withdrawal not as easy as it sounded?
Document 2: What was Thieu concerned about? Nixon?
Document 3: What risk does a U.S. withdrawal run?
Document 4: Why had the U.S.S.R. not helped the U.S. with North Vietnam? Why was the U.S. leery of the lack of Soviet involvement?
Document 5:How does the NLF soldier describe ? How did he view the small withdrawal in those years?
Document 6: How does Nixon describe the war he inherits? What would be the consequences of withdrawal? How does the Nixon doctrine and Vietnamization achieve “peace with dignity”?
Document 7: What does the author say about American foreign policy since 1954 in regards to Vietnam? What will happen under Vietnamization? What does he accuse the U.S. of doing?

10. Commonality
What do all these documents tell us about U.S. foreign policy towards Vietnam under the Nixon Administration in 1969?
How can you have peace through coercion?? What does this really mean?

11. Discussion Why did the U.S. invade Cambodia? Explain all reasons
What were the successes of the invasion? Failures?
What effect did it have on Cambodians and their government?
What effect did it have on the anti-war movement? What happened at Kent State?
What was the political effect?
How did Nixon respond to these attacks?
In the wake of the invasion of Cambodia, was Nixon closer to achieving “Peace with Honor”? Why?