End of the War

Unit Objective To understand how the war ended and what impact that had on Vietnam and America

Tet Offensive (1968)—Major turning point in the war-Why? It was a major Vietcong push into South Vietnam that failed but still proved the war was no where close to being over at a time the government was saying it was almost over

Impact

Richard Nixon won in 1968 based on his promise to get America out of Vietnam Vietnamization:

My Lai Massacre (1968) U.S. troops wiped out a village even after realizing there were no Vietcong there They were following orders to take out the village because it was thought it was overrun with Vietcong Some evidence of torture and mutilation; 300-500 killed Several soldiers charged, only one convicted (William Calley) for ordering the shootings; Calley was originally sentenced to life in prison but his sentence was later adjusted and he served 4 ½ months in military prison

Illegal secret missions into Cambodia (1969-70) Nixon ordered (Illegal because Cambodia was a sovereign nation that Congress had not authorized action in): Impact:

Nixon made peace with North Vietnam (1973) Impact on South Vietnam:

War Powers Act (1973) President must notify Congress within 48 hours if committing U.S. troops to military action and forbids troops to remain in action longer than 60 days without further Congressional approval or declaration of war

Fall of South Vietnam (1975)

Nixon had promised to help South Vietnam if the 1973 peace was violated (not with troops), but he had resigned by 1975 and President Ford was unable to get Congress to approve funds to help South Vietnam

In this April 30, 1975 file photo, a North Vietnamese tank rolls through the gate of the Presidential Palace in Saigon, signifying the fall of South Vietnam.

Evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon

U.S. military personnel pushing a helicopter into the ocean to make room for more helicopters loaded with escapees from S. Vietnam to land