1. The Cold War in the 1970s

2. Vietnamization Nixon, while unpopular, used his intelligence and shrewdness to deal with US foreign policy Nixon, while unpopular, used his intelligence and shrewdness to deal with US foreign policy VIETNAMIZATION: Nixon’s plan to withdraw US troops over an extended period, turn the fighting over to the South Vietnamese VIETNAMIZATION: Nixon’s plan to withdraw US troops over an extended period, turn the fighting over to the South Vietnamese Nixon Doctrine: US would honor its existing defense commitments, but in the future, US would not commit ground troops to other countries’ wars. Nixon Doctrine: US would honor its existing defense commitments, but in the future, US would not commit ground troops to other countries’ wars.

3. Continued Dissension Over Vietnam Nixon tried to appeal to “silent majority” who he believed supported the war Nixon tried to appeal to “silent majority” who he believed supported the war Anti-war protestors (“doves”) still demanded an immediate withdrawal of US troops Anti-war protestors (“doves”) still demanded an immediate withdrawal of US troops

4. The Controversy of Vietnam Longest war in American history Longest war in American history By 1970, 40,000 killed and 250,000 wounded By 1970, 40,000 killed and 250,000 wounded 3 rd most costly foreign war in our history 3 rd most costly foreign war in our history Very unpopular! Very unpopular! –Biased draft targeted poor and minorities –Fighting VC nearly impossible –Drug abuse, mutiny and sabotage in army  “Fragging” –1968 My Lai massacre shamed American soldiers

5. Nixon’s Secret Bombing of Cambodia 1970: Nixon wanted to end war faster by bombing North Vietnamese supply routes and bases in bordering Cambodia 1970: Nixon wanted to end war faster by bombing North Vietnamese supply routes and bases in bordering Cambodia Began bombing raids in secret, without consulting Congress Began bombing raids in secret, without consulting Congress

6. The Kent State Massacre Ohio: Students at Kent State protested Nixon’s bombing raids of Cambodia Ohio: Students at Kent State protested Nixon’s bombing raids of Cambodia National Guard members fired on the crowd, killing four and wounding many more. National Guard members fired on the crowd, killing four and wounding many more. Nixon withdrew troops from Cambodia after 2 months. Nixon withdrew troops from Cambodia after 2 months. Deepened bitterness of many towards war and Nixon Deepened bitterness of many towards war and Nixon Government tried to appease people Government tried to appease people –Decreased draft –Passed 26 th Amendment: lowering voting age to 18.

7. The Pentagon Papers June 1971: Daniel Ellsberg, former Pentagon official, released “Pentagon Papers” to the NY Times June 1971: Daniel Ellsberg, former Pentagon official, released “Pentagon Papers” to the NY Times Papers printed top secret information documenting the mistakes of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson in regards to Vietnam Papers printed top secret information documenting the mistakes of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson in regards to Vietnam Showed Gulf of Tonkin incident may have been provoked by US Showed Gulf of Tonkin incident may have been provoked by US People furious People furious

8. Nixon Begins Détente Nixon did want to “cool down” tensions with China and USSR Nixon did want to “cool down” tensions with China and USSR Worked with national security advisor, Henry Kissinger Worked with national security advisor, Henry Kissinger February 1972: Nixon visited China, talked of “normalizing relationship with China” February 1972: Nixon visited China, talked of “normalizing relationship with China” May 1972: Nixon visited USSR, signed agreement for US to start selling food products to USSR May 1972: Nixon visited USSR, signed agreement for US to start selling food products to USSR

9. Détente ctnd. US and USSR began anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaties and arms-reduction negotiations: SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) US and USSR began anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaties and arms-reduction negotiations: SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) Started to slow nuclear arms race Started to slow nuclear arms race However, both countries continued to develop weapons potential However, both countries continued to develop weapons potential –Over 16,000 nuclear warheads deployed by each side by end of 1980s Nixon continued to try to quell Communism Nixon continued to try to quell Communism –CIA involved in assassination of democratically elected Salvador Allende in Chile, supported dictator Augosto Pinochet after

10. Election of 1972 Vietnam the key issue Vietnam the key issue –North Vietnamese had launched new attacks on South, Nixon had stepped up bombings Nixon ran against Democrat McGovern Nixon ran against Democrat McGovern –McGovern promised to withdraw all American troops in 90 days, Nixon said he had already quieted war down and a peace would be signed in two days Nixon won in a landslide Nixon won in a landslide January 1973: North Vietnam agreed to a cease- fire January 1973: North Vietnam agreed to a cease- fire –Really meant American troops would withdraw, but North Vietnam got to keep 145,000 troops in South.

11. The War Powers Act Revealed that Nixon’s bombing raids of Cambodia started well before 1970 and continued after cease-fire with North Vietnam in 1973 Revealed that Nixon’s bombing raids of Cambodia started well before 1970 and continued after cease-fire with North Vietnam in 1973 –Nixon trying to stop Cambodia from becoming Communist, but did all of this without permission –Destabilized Cambodia: led to rise of Pol Pot responsible for death of 2 million –Cambodia became Communist anyway in 1978 Congress responded with 1973 War Powers Act Congress responded with 1973 War Powers Act –Limited power of president to make war –President must report to Congress within 48 hours of sending troops, would have to get authorization of Congress –Part of “New Isolationism”: Mood of caution and restraint after Vietnam

12. The Arab Oil Embargo and the Energy Crisis Arab world upset at US support for Israel in conflict with Syria and Egypt in 1973 Arab world upset at US support for Israel in conflict with Syria and Egypt in 1973 October 1973: OPEC began an embargo of oil to the US or any country supporting Israel October 1973: OPEC began an embargo of oil to the US or any country supporting Israel Began “energy crisis” in US Began “energy crisis” in US –Showed our dependence on Middle Eastern Oil –Even after embargo, OPEC quadrupled prices –End of cheap, available energy –Beginning of US wanting to protect oil supplies in Middle East (Iraq)

13. Defeat in Vietnam 1975: North Vietnam invaded South again 1975: North Vietnam invaded South again New President Ford wanted US to help South, Congress refused New President Ford wanted US to help South, Congress refused Remaining Americans had to be evacuated from South Remaining Americans had to be evacuated from South In end, Vietnam fell to Communism In end, Vietnam fell to Communism –US had spent $118 billion, 56,000 dead and 300,000 wounded –Many Vietnamese refugees fled to US –US power and pride wounded