The End of the War and Its Legacy President Nixon institutes his Vietnamization policy, and America’s longest war finally comes to an end. Ch. 22, Sect 5

President Nixon and Vietnamization The Pullout Begins New president Richard Nixon finds negotiations not progressing National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger works on new plan Vietnamization — U.S. troops withdraw, South Vietnam troops take over “Peace with Honor” Nixon calls for “peace with honor” to maintain U.S. dignity Orders bombing of North Vietnam, Vietcong hideouts in Laos, Cambodia President Nixon conferred with Henry A. Kissinger

Trouble Continues on the Home Front Mainstream America Silent majority — moderate, mainstream people who support war My Lai Massacre News breaks (Nov 1969) that U.S. platoon massacred civilians in My Lai village –March. 1968, American troops enter and small village looking for Vietcong rebels. –Found no enemies and shot and kill more than 300 innocent Vietnamese villagers mostly women, children, elderly Massacre shocked the nation. –Lt. William Calley, Jr., in command, is convicted, imprisoned Video – Inside Vietnam War [part 2 “My Lai Massacre” (34:22- 38:19)

The Invasion of Cambodia 1970, U.S. troops invade Cambodia to clear out enemy supply centers 1.5 million protesting college students close down 1,200 campuses Kent State (May 4, 1970) Kent State Univ in Ohio = a massive student protest led to the burning of the ROTC building. Student objected to expanding the war into Cambodia and being required to join the ROTC National Guard was called in – guards fired into crowd of campus protesters, wounding 9 and killing 4. Pentagon Papers – confirmed the belief that the government had not been honest about its war intentions. Video - Richard Nixon (9min) Read – Kent State (756) [749] and Pentagon Papers (757) [749]

America’s Longest War Ends 1.Jan. 27, 1973, Congress calls for end to war; peace agreement signed. 2. March 29, 1973 = last US combat troops withdraw from Vietnam. U.S. never official declared war. NV regulars riding atop a tank crashing through gates of the Presidential Palace during the fall of Saigon. April POW returning home. Longest held POW was imprisonment for 8 yrs

3.March of 1975 = Fall of Saigon, cease-fire breaks down ; N. Vietnam launched a full- scale invasion of South Vietnam 4. April 30, 1975 = South Vietnam surrendered to the North. Refugees aboard the USS Midway 1975

The War Leaves a Painful Legacy Prior to the fall of Saigon, President Ford = refuses to send troops, but provides economic aid. Vietnam vets receive a cold homecoming and some face difficulties in readjusting to civilian life –About 15% develop post-traumatic stress disorder Over 58,000 Americans killed, 365,000 wounded; over 2 million North, South Vietnamese die in war

Further Turmoil in Southeast Asia Communists put 400,000 South Vietnamese in labor camps; 1.5 million flee Civil war breaks out in Cambodia; Khmer Rouge seize power

“ Hate War…but love the warrior.” - Lt. Gen. Harold Moore (Ret.) es/index.html

Left-Side “The War’s Painful Legacy” p [ ] Recreate the chart. Identify one or more reasons for each of the following developments during the war. Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming. Cambodia erupts in civil war. Congress passes the War Powers Act The draft is abolished. Many Americans lose faith in their government. U.S. recognition of Vietnam.

Left-Side “The War’s Painful Legacy” 1.p [ ] 2.Attach chart to Left-Side. 3.Identify one or more reasons for each of the following developments during the war. Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming. Cambodia erupts in civil war. Congress passes the War Powers Act The draft is abolished. Many Americans lose faith in their government. U.S. recognition of Vietnam. 4 th period

The Legacy of Vietnam 1.Government abolishes military draft –26 th Amend (1971) – 18 yrs to vote Congress passes War Powers Act: a.President must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops b.90 day maximum deployment without Congressional approval 3.War contributes to cynicism about government, political leaders

Video Commander in Chief – Richard Nixon YearUSUKOtherTotal Total Iraq Coalition Military Fatalities By Year YearUSUKOtherTotal Total Afghanistan Coalition Military Fatalities

Iraq Coalition Casualties: U.S. Wounded Totals Operation Enduring Freedom: U.S. Wounded Totals

Right-Side Video = “Apocalypse Now”

“Peace is at Hand” 1971, 60% think U.S. should withdraw from Vietnam by end of year 1972 N. Vietnamese attack; U.S. bombs cities, mines Haiphong harbor Kissinger agrees to complete withdrawal of U.S.: “Peace is at hand”

“The War’s Painful Legacy” p [ ] Identify one or more reasons for each of the following developments during the war. Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming. Cambodia erupts in civil war. Congress passes the War Powers ActThe draft is abolished. Many Americans lose faith in their government. U.S. recognition of Vietnam.