Chapter 29 Section 4 The Vietnam War Riddlebarger The War Ends Chapter 29 Section 4 The Vietnam War Riddlebarger

“I will not be the first president of the United States to lose a war Madman Theory

Widening the War Nixon had pledged to end the war during the 1968 campaign In office, he and his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, make plans to do so. 1969: Kissinger secretly begins negotiations. Both sides still reluctant to give in to each other’s demands.

Vietnamization The secret negotiations are part of Nixon strategy to achieve “peace with honor.” Part of this plan is vietnamization Turning more of the fighting in Vietnam to the South Vietnam Army while gradually bringing home U.S. troops. Nixon hoped this would allow South Vietnam government time to grow stronger Or, at the least, allow U.S. to get out before seemingly embarrassing defeat.

Troop Withdrawal Nixon begins slowly withdrawing U.S. troops from Vietnam. 540,000 American troops in Vietnam when he became president Only 24,000 remain by 1972 Vietnamization doesn’t make antiwar protesters happy because it still doesn’t end war immediately. Nixon felt he had the support of the silent majority

Cambodia While Nixon was withdrawing U.S. troops, he secretly expanded the war. Early 1969: orders bombing of Cambodia Goal: to disrupt the flow of supplies on Ho Chi Minh Trail Decision is kept secret from public & some government leaders.

Further Expansion 1970: US & ARVN troops enter Cambodia. 1971: go into Laos. Renew bombing of North to try to pressure them to seek peace. Madman Theory Nixon, like Johnson, underestimated North’s will to win Even after Ho dies (1969) 1972: Northern invasion of South

Increasing Protests April 30, 1970, Nixon announces that he had sent troops into Cambodia Breaks law Causes an increase in protests Especially on college campuses

Campus Violence http://people.bu.edu/sobieraj/images/KentState.jpg video

Kent State May 2, 1970: anti-war protesters at Kent State set fire to ROTC building. Gov. James Rhodes sends in National Guard to keep order May 4: Students gather for anti-war demonstration Troops order them to disperse Some protesters throw rocks & shout insults. Several soldier fire into crowd Four killed; 9 injured (some weren’t even protesters)

Jackson State Jackson State (Mississippi) protests take place 9 days after Kent St. State police fire at protesters in dorm 2 dead; 9 wounded Images of these 2 events horrify many Americans Causes strikes on campuses all across country.

Anti-War Movement Goes On Nixon is convinced protesters make up all small part of population This is true but growing number of Americans are turning against war. Growing number of middle-class join anti-war side (not just college kids now) Oct. 16, 1969: millions join in national day of protest Nov. 1969: largest anti-war rally in U.S. history: 250,000 march on Washington

Veterans Protest April 1971: Veterans hold protest in Washington About 800 gather and throw down war medals they had won. Never before had returning soldiers so strongly opposed a war they had fought in.

Some feel demonstrations don’t do enough to end the war. Radical Protests Some feel demonstrations don’t do enough to end the war. They will turn to more violent methods The Weathermen set off over 5000 bombs in places such as Pentagon, U.S. Capital & New York police station Violent encounter with Chicago police leaves some dead Most anti-war protesters didn’t support such extreme actions

My Lai Late 1969: Americans learn of My Lai Massacre March 1968: American troops under Lt. William Calley on a search & destroy mission to find Vietcong enter My Lai Find no Vietcong Soldiers killed at least 450 women, children & elderly men

Troubling Revelations The government tried to keep My Lai incident quiet Eventually, by 1969, it leaked out Lt. Calley charged with murder & later found guilty My Lai helped divide between anti-war and war supporters grow wider.

Pentagon Papers 1971: another story boosts anti-war movement Secret government documents leaked that trace history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam Pentagon Papers reveal government had been misleading the public about the war for years. Nixon is angered and embarrassed about leak.

End of U.S. Involvement In 1972, Nixon campaigns for re-election while continuing to try to bring “peace with honor” in Vietnam His Democratic challenger, George McGovern, is a critic of the war. http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/time/2590-1.jpg October 1972

George McGovern McGovern insists on an immediate end to the war Hoped 26th Amendment would help him Changed voting age from 21 to 18 He had lots of young supporters

Nixon Re-election campaign Nixon stresses law & order and quick end to war in Vietnam Just weeks before the election, Kissinger announces “peace is at hand.”

1972 Election Announcement of possible peace helps Nixon win in a landslide.

A Peace Agreement Despite Kissinger’s prediction, peace talks break down. To get them going again, Nixon orders 24-hour bombing of North Vietnam “Christmas Bombing” in late 1972 fails to sway North Vietnamese Jan. 1973: Agreement is reached to end fighting for US troops U.S. withdraws all troops; Both sides return POW Agreement did not address future of South Vietnam.

Legacy of Vietnam 2 years later, North Vietnam invades South April 1975: they take Saigon (South capital) U.S. helps evacuate many South Vietnamese who helped us; some are left April 30: South surrenders Vietnam re-united under Communists

Cambodian Violence Communist forces take over Cambodia: Khmer Rouge They kill 1.5 million in attempt to control the country. Vietnam invades Cambodia and overthrows Khmer Rouge. Vietnam controls country from 1979-89

Wars Effect on SE Asia Large numbers killed 185,000 ARVN 450,000 South Vietnamese civilians Estimated 1 million VC/NVA Severe environmental damage Bombings and defoliants contaminate water and food Vietnamese refugees

Effects on Veterans About 58,000 Americans killed in Vietnam. Over 600 held as POW’s. Some tortured and held in solitary confinement. Many come home paralyzed or severely wounded Thanks, in part, to medical advances Impact of Agent Orange Cancer, birth defects Unwelcome homecoming for Vets Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Wars Political Impact In the end, U.S. failed to keep communists from taking South Vietnam This came at a cost of over $150 billion Greatly increased national debt Sparked inflation Increased distrust in government War Powers Act (1973)

Healing From the War Coming to terms with Vietnam has been an ongoing process for Americans. Vietnam Memorial dedicated in 1982 U.S. and Vietnam resume normal relations in 1995.

The Three Soldiers statue at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Washington, D.C. - wikipedia niece