Ch. 30.5 The End of the War and Its Legacy Section Objectives: 1. Describe Nixon’s policy of Vietnamization. 2. Explain the public’s reaction to the Vietnam War during Nixon’s presidency. 3. Describe the end of U.S. involvement and the final outcome in Vietnam. 4. Examine the war’s painful legacy in the United States and Southeast Asia. One American’s Story ­Who was Alfred S. Bradford? ­What impact did Vietnam have on the United States? 1. President Nixon and Vietnamization ­Who was ​
Richard Nixon? ● The 37th president of the United States who began to pull troops out of Vietnam. ­What did critics believed prolonged the war? ● He continued the war against North Vietnam. A. The Pullout Begins ­What happened to peace negotiations with North Vietnam? ● They stalled because each side could not reach an agreement. ● The U.S. wanted the South Vietnamese government to remain ● North Vietnam wanted a coalition government of the Vietcong in South Vietnam ­Who was ​
Henry Kissinger? ● Nixon’s National Security Advisor ­What was ​
Vietnamization? ● A plan developed by Nixon and Kissinger that called for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam and have the South Vietnamese take a more active combat role in the war B. “Peace With Honor” ­What was the goal of Nixon’s Vietnam policy? ● Part of the Vietnamization plan was to establish a “peace with honor” 2. Trouble Continues on the Home Front ­Who was the ​
silent majority? ● moderate mainstream Americans who quietly supported the U.S. efforts in Vietnam. ­Why would Nixon want to gain their support? ● To win support for his war policies A. The My Lai Massacre ­What is ​
My Lai? ● A small village in South Vietnam ­What happened at My Lai? ● A group of U.S. soldiers massacred innocent Vietnamese people there (women, children, and elderly) ­Why did U.S. troops believe they were not responsible for what happened at My Lai? ● They were following Lieutenant Calley’s orders (their superior officer) B. The Invasion of Cambodia ­Why did Nixon decide to have the U.S. invade Cambodia? ● To clear out North Vietnamese and Vietcong supply centers. ­Why did students and others protest Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia? ● They were tired of the war dragging on. C. Violence on Campus ­What happened at ​
Kent State University? ● A massive student protest led to the burning of the ROTC building and four were eventually killed when the National Guard was called in. Two were not protesting. ­What happened at Jackson State? ● National guardsmen fired upon a group of antiwar protesters two were killed. D. The Pentagon Papers ­What did Congress repeal in 1970 after Nixon had the U.S. bomb and invade Cambodia? ● The Tonkin Gulf Resolution ­What were the ​
Pentagon Papers? ● A 7,000 page document written by former Defense Secretary Robert Mcnamara, that showed the U.S. government was preparing for war in Vietnam even when Johnson said he would not send American troops there. ­Why did the Pentagon Papers upset Americans? ● It confirmed for Americans that the government was not honest about their intentions in Vietnam. 3. America’s Longest War Ends ­What did President Nixon decide to do in 1972 in response to a North Vietnamese attack on South Vietnam? ● Ordering a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnamese cities. ● Ordered mines be laid in Haiphong harbor A. “Peace is at Hand” ­What announcement did Kissinger make one week before the presidential election? ● Peace is at hand B. The Final Push ­What happened to peace talks after Nixon’s reelection? ● Talks broke off becaue the Thieu regime (South Vietnam’s government) rejected Kissinger’s proposal for peace in fear of North Vietnamese remaining in the South ­What were the terms of the cease­fire agreement? ● North Vietnamese troops would remain in South Vietnam ● There would be no fighting between North and South Vietnam C. The Fall of Saigon ­What was the final resolution of the Vietnam War? ● South Vietnam was forced to surrender to North Vietnam. 4. The War Leaves a Painful Legacy ­What were the effects of the Vietnam War? ● 58,000 Americans were killed and 303,000 were wounded ● North and South Vietnamese deaths were somewhere around 2 million ● The war left Southeast Asia highly unstable, which led to further war in Cambodia ● It left Americans with a cynical attitude towards the government and a more cautious outlook on foreign affairs A. American Veterans Cope Back Home ­What kind of reception did Vietnam veterans receive when they came home? ● A cold hand, no cheering crowds, or bands playing B. Further Turmoil in Southeast Asia ­What happened in Vietnam after the war? ● It led to more violence ● Communists imprisoned more than 400,000 South Vietnamese in harsh “reeducation” or labor camps ­What happened in Cambodia after the war? ● The U.S. invasion of Cambodia led to a civil war there ● A communist group known as the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, seized power in 1975. ● In order to turn the society into a peasant society the communists executed professionals and anyone with an education or foreign ties. ● Killed at least 1 million people during this reign of terror. C. The Legacy of Vietnam ­What is the ​
War Powers Act? ● A law that stipulated a president must inform Congress within 48 hours of sending forces into a hostile area without a declaration of war ­What is the legacy of the Vietnam War? ● It altered America’s views on foreign policy ­How does the war still influence American politics and foreign policy? ● Americans are more cynical of the government ● The United States now pauses and considers risks before engaging in a conflict abroad.