THE WAR WINDS DOWN Chapter 25, Section 4 By Mr. Bruce Diehl

A.Nixon Moves to End the War 1.Nixon appoints Henry Kissinger a.Harvard professor Nixon chosen to be special assistant for national security affairs b.He gave him authority to find a way to end the war in Vietnam. c.Kissinger used a policy he called linkage to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China—Both supported NV d.He started up peace talks again with North Vietnam.

Identifying? When did negotiations with the North Vietnamese begin? (p.791)

B.Nixon began Vietnamization 1.It involves the gradual withdrawal of American troops in Vietnam 2.and allowing South Vietnam to assume more of the fighting.

B.As peace negotiations were underway, Nixon increased air strikes against North Vietnam to maintain American strength.

II. Turmoil at Home Continues A.The Vietnam War continued to stir up protests and violence in the United States.

B.My Lai Massacre 1.In 1969 Americans learned of a 1968 event that further increased their feelings that this was a senseless war. 2.An American platoon under the command of Lieutenant William Calley 3.Massacred more than 200 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians in the hamlet of My Lai. 4.Most of the victims were old men, women, and children.

C.Invasion of Cambodia 1.In April 1970, Nixon announced that American troops had invaded Cambodia to destroy Vietcong military bases. 2.Americans viewed this as an expansion of the war 3.A wave of protests followed.

D.In 1970 Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution E.The Pentagon Papers 1.In 1971 a former Defense Department worker, Daniel Ellsberg, leaked a secret document. 2.It showed that many government officials had privately questioned the war while publicly defending it. 3.The document also showed how the various administrations deceived the public about Vietnam.

III. The United States Pulls Out of Vietnam A.By 1971 nearly two-thirds of Americans wanted the Vietnam War to end. B.1972 Election - In order to gain public support Nixon changed his position on Vietnam 1.He dropped the insistence that North Vietnam had to withdraw from South Vietnam before a peace treaty could be signed. 2.A month before the presidential election, Henry Kissinger announced that peace was at hand. 3.Nixon won re-election in a landslide.

Evaluating? What did the Pentagon Papers confirm for many Americans? (p.792)

C.Peace negotiations 1.Broke down when South Vietnam’s president, Nguyen Van Thieu, refused any plan that left North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam. 2.The United States began a bombing campaign that eventually led to the resumption of peace talks. 3.On January 27, 1973, the sides agreed to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam. 4.After eight years at war, the longest in American history, the United States ended its direct involvement in Vietnam.

D.1975 North Vietnamese Invasion 1.In March 1975, the NVA launched a full- scale invasion of the South. 2.Thieu asked for United States assistance. 3.Nixon had resigned after the Watergate scandal 4.New president, Gerald Ford, asked Congress to supply aid. Congress refused.

E.On April 30, the North Vietnamese captured Saigon 1.This United Vietnam under Communist rule 2.They renamed Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.

Explaining? Why did the peace talks break down in December 1972? (p.793)

IV. The Legacy of Vietnam A.The Vietnam War had a lasting impact on the United States. 1.The war had cost almost $150 billion in direct costs 2.It resulted in 58,000 deaths. 3.Many soldiers who did return home faced psychological problems. 4.Some families were left uncertain about POWs and MIAs.

B.In 1973 Congress passed the War Powers Act 1.It reestablish limits on executive power. 2.The act required the president to inform Congress of any commitment of troops abroad within 48 hours 3.The President must withdraw troops in 60 days unless Congress approved the troop commitment.

C.The Vietnam War increased Americans’ cynicism about their government and made them question their leaders.

Describing? How did the Vietnam War affect Americans’ attitudes toward international conflicts? (p.794)