SWBAT: Explain how Nixon addressed the issues of the Vietnam War Do Now: The Silent Majority

Johnson Decline to Run in 1968 Toward the end of his term as President, Johnson had reduced bombing of North Vietnam. Called for peace negotiations to end the Vietnam War. The resulting Paris peace talks, which began in May 1968, failed to produce an agreement.

Paris Peace Negotiations US & Vietnamese argue for 5 months over the size of the conference table! Dr. Henry Kissinger & Le Duc Tho

Richard Nixon – 37th President of the United States Republican – 1969-1974 President Nixon campaigned on the promise that he had a secret plan to end the war. In June 1969, he began the policy of Vietnamization, replacing American troops in Vietnam with South Vietnamese soldiers. Appealed to the great “Silent Majority”

The Silent Majority Nixon had campaigned promising a return to law and order. As President, he strengthened this position, discouraging protest against the war. President Nixon recognized that student radicals, antiwar protesters, and the counterculture in general had never appealed to many Americans. Despite widespread discontent on college campuses, not all students agreed with the antiwar protesters. Some firmly supported American involvement in Vietnam. Others questioned the war but were troubled by the lawlessness and radicalism of many antiwar protests. These students did not receive the press coverage of their more outspoken classmates.

The Silent Majority Likewise, many adults held student protesters responsible for rising crime, growing drug use, and permissive attitudes toward sex. Some of these Americans expressed their patriotism by putting flag decals on their car windows or by attaching bumper stickers that read “My Country, Right or Wrong” and “Love It or Leave It. In a 1969 speech, Nixon appealed to those who, he felt, quietly supported his policies. He referred to this group of Americans as “the silent majority.”

Silent Majority Speech – November 3, 1969 Why do YOU think that the less outspoken students were not heard from?

Richard Nixon – 37th President of the United States Republican – 1969-1974 Nixon wanted to end the war; he did not want to lose it. He began an aggressive campaign against North Vietnam including: Massive bombing raids on North Vietnam. Placing mines in the North Vietnamese harbor at Haiphong, and He launched secret bombing raids and expanded the war to Cambodia, (and eventually Laos, too.) hoping to destroy Viet Cong camps there.

Richard Nixon – 37th President of the United States Republican – 1969-1974 “We take this action not for the purpose of expanding the war into Cambodia but for the purpose of ending the war in Vietnam and winning the just peace we all desire. We have made and we will continue to make every possible effort to end this war through negotiation at the conference table rather than through more fighting on the battlefield.” — Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon – 37th President of the United States Republican – 1969-1974 Nixon hoped his Cambodian attacks would help America in peace negotiations. Instead, the attacks resulted in both civil war in Cambodia and ignited more anti-war protests in the United States. Why do you think Nixon thought attacking Cambodia would help peace negotiations?

Kent State Massacre When student antiwar protesters at Kent State University in Ohio reacted angrily to Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia, Nixon ordered the National Guard to Kent State. After students threw rocks at the guardsmen, the troops opened fire, killing and wounding both protesters and bystanders.

Kent State Massacre What do you believe? In May 1970, the National Guard opened fire on a crowd of antiwar protesters at Kent State University in Ohio and killed four students. Reaction to the incident was strong but mixed. In Support of the National Guard's Actions “He told me they didn't fire those shots to scare the students off. He told me they fired those shots because they knew the students were coming after them, coming for their guns. People are calling my husband a murderer; my husband is not a murderer. He was afraid.”  — Wife of a member of the National Guard,  quoted in Newsweek magazine, May 18, 1970 Opposed to the National Guard's Actions “Nixon acts as if the kids had it coming. But shooting into a crowd of students, that is violence. They say it could happen again if the Guard is threatened. They consider stones threat enough to kill children. I think the violence comes from the government.” — Mother of Jeffrey Glenn Miller, a student killed at Kent State,  quoted in Life magazine, May 15, 1970 What do you believe?

American Withdrawal from Vietnam In January 1973, the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong signed a formal agreement in Paris. Among the provisions in the agreement were these: The United States would withdraw all its forces from South Vietnam within 60 days. All prisoners of war would be released. All parties to the agreement would end military activities in Laos and Cambodia. The 17th parallel would continue to divide North and South Vietnam until the country could be reunited.

American Withdrawal from Vietnam South Vietnam Falls After American forces had withdrawn, North Vietnam attacked strategic cities in South Vietnam, ending with its capital, Saigon. Following a last-minute evacuation of both American soldiers and Vietnamese refugees, South Vietnam surrendered in April 1975, and Vietnam became unified under a Communist government.

A United Vietnam Formerly Saigon

South Vietnamese Attempt to Flee the Country The Fall of Saigon South Vietnamese Attempt to Flee the Country

America Abandons Its Embassy The Fall of Saigon April 30, 1975 America Abandons Its Embassy

North Vietnamese at the Presidential Palace The Fall of Saigon North Vietnamese at the Presidential Palace

1973: Ceasefire signed between U.S., South Vietnam, & North Vietnam Conditions: U.S. to remove all troops North Vietnam could leave troops already in South Vietnam. North Vietnam would resume war No provision for POWs or MIAs Last American troops left South Vietnam on March 29, 1973 1975: North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City

The Cost of the Vietnam War 3,000,000 Vietnamese killed 58,000 Americans killed; 300,000 wounded Under-funding of Great Society programs $200,000,000,000 in U.S. spending U.S. morale, self-confidence, trust of government, decimated

The Impact of the Vietnam War 26th Amendment: 18-year-olds vote Nixon abolished the draft - all-volunteer army War Powers Act, 1973 President must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying military force President must withdraw forces unless he gains Congressional approval within 90 days Disregard for Veterans - seen as “baby killers” POW/MIA issue lingered – 2,583 still unaccounted for today