CH. 19 SEC. 4 THE END OF THE WAR & IT’S IMPACT Essential Question: How did the Vietnam War End and what were its lasting effects on the Untied States?

U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM ENDS Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 McGovern hoped the ratification of this amendment would boost his election chances. Why was this important? George McGovern Senator from South Dakota who criticized war Insisted that the Vietnam War be brought to an immediate end 26 th Amendment Nixon stressed law and order at home and told voters he would end the war. Kissinger announced a breakthrough in the peace talks just weeks before the election. The announcement helped Nixon win by a landslide Election

A PEACE AGREEMENT Officials from North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States finally reached an agreement in January The United States agreed to withdraw all of its troops and help rebuild Vietnam. Both sides agreed to release all prisoners of war. The agreement did not settle the political future of South Vietnam—the key issue behind the war from the start.

The United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Vietcong would stop fighting. U.S. troops would withdraw from South Vietnam. North Vietnamese troops would remain in South Vietnam. South Vietnam’s noncommunist government would remain in power. In January 1973, the war finally ended with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.

THE VIETNAM WAR’S LEGACY Two years after U.S. troops were withdrawn, North Vietnamese troops invaded South Vietnam. After a short amount of fighting, South Vietnam surrendered. – The U.S. military rushed to evacuate Americans still working in Saigon. – Some 130,000 South Vietnamese were also evacuated and flown to the United States. After two decades of “temporary” division, Vietnam was reunited under a Communist government. In 1975, Communist forces called the Khmer Rouge gained control of Cambodia. – Vietnam forces invaded Cambodia in 1979, overthrew the Khmer Rouge, and occupied the country till 1989.

More than 58,000 Americans died in Vietnam. It would be years before Vietnam veterans were acknowledged for their sacrifices. The war undermined Americans’ trust in their leaders. Americans became reluctant to intervene in other nations’ affairs. The Vietnam War had a lasting effect on American life. HnY

Southeast Asia 635,000 South Vietnamese died; Vietcong and NVA war dead equaled 1 million Severe environmental damage from bombs and defoliants More than 1.5 million South Vietnamese fled the country after the fall of Saigon. Veterans 58,000 Americans were killed; 600 were held as POWs; 2,500 soldiers reported MIA; 300,000 wounded Experienced a negative reception upon return Trouble readjusting to civilian life (post- traumatic stress disorder) THE LEGACY OF THE WAR Political Impact United States failed to prevent Communists from taking over South Vietnam. Spent more than $150 billion on the war Changed how many Americans viewed government Congress passed the War Powers Act in

President must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending military into action Military can only stay for a maximum of 60 days Congress still holds power to officially declare war Meant for President to use when there is an immediate threat to the U.S. THE WAR POWERS ACT

Operation Homecoming brought home 591 POWS Roughly 1,300 Americans listed as POW/MIA Much debate on whether any prisoners still alive over the years Vietnamese treated POWS horribly PRISONERS OF WAR cZT4