Ending Vietnam

New Policies Henry Kissinger- special assistant for national security Use diplomacy to end Vietnam War Linkage- improving relations with the USSR and China  cut back aid to North Vietnam Peace talks with North Vietnam (Le Duc Tho) Cease-fire Return of American Prisoners of War (POWs) South Vietnam

New Policies Vietnamization Withdrawal of US troops (25,000 in 1969) Turn over fighting to South Vietnamese Nixon keeps strong presence in Vietnam for bargaining power Increased air strikes in North Vietnam Secretly bombed Vietcong soldiers in Cambodia without informing Congress or the public

My Lai Massacre 1968- American platoon massacred over 550 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians Old men Women Children Reported as a victory against a Vietcong stronghold in My Lai Commanding officer Lieutenant Calley imprisoned Significance Dilemma: “Kill on orders and be a criminal, refuse to kill and be a criminal” War seen as brutal and senseless Vietnam soldiers seen as murderers

Response to Cambodia Seen as expansion of the war Protests Kent State Massacre- Ohio National Guard killed four student protestors Two African American students killed at Jackson State College Congress repeals Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Ending the War Attempted peace negotiations Difficult to come to agreement Christmas Bombings- to force the Vietnamese to negotiate January 27, 1973- Peace treaty signed “ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam” US withdraws troops Both sides exchange POWs US promises to aid South Vietnam if agreement is violated April 30, 1975- North Vietnamese capture SV capital Saigon Reunited Vietnam under Communist rule Congress refuses to send aid

Legacy Cost over $170 billion dollars 58,000 young Americans died 300,000 Americans wounded Over 1 million North and South Vietnamese soldiers and civilians killed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Soldiers felt unappreciated, defeated Unresolved War- POWs and MIAs

Legacy Public distrust of government War Powers Act President must inform Congress of troop commitments within 48 hours President must withdraw troops after 60-90 days unless approved by Congress People embrace isolationism People question containing Communism People encourage negotiation with USSR