Section 5: The End of the War and Its Legacy Richard Nixon tells Americans he will restore law and order - > get the U.S. out of Vietnam 1968 – Nixon wins

Vietnamization Henry Kissinger (National Security Advisor) and Nixon’s plan for gradual withdraw of U.S. troops 500,000 – 25,000 American troops in Vietnam (1969-1972)

Peace with Honor Maintain U.S. pride and keep South Vietnamese govt. intact while removing American troops Nixon secretly orders bombs to be dropped on Vietcong shelters in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Troubles on American Soil Americans read about the My Lai Massacre 1970 – Nixon tells America we have invaded Cambodia 1st general student strike in our history -> 1.5 million students close down 1,200 colleges “Hardhats” continue to support the govt.

Pentagon Papers 7,000-page document reveals govt. had plans to send American troops to Vietnam when Pres. Johnson promised he would not

America’s Longest War Ends Kissinger negotiates with North Vietnam U.S. drops 100,000 bombs on Northern cities 1973 – last American troops leave Vietnam South Vietnam surrenders to the North in 1975

Legacy of Vietnam 58,000 Americans die 2 million Vietnamese die Southeast Asia is unstable No victory parades for veterans 500,000 of 3.3 million soldiers develop post-traumatic stress disorder -> leads to depression, drugs, suicide

Legacy of Vietnam 1.5 million people flee Communist Vietnam 1975 - Khmer Rouge (Cambodia’s Communist leadership) kills 1 million - anyone with education or foreign ties

Legacy of Vietnam Hawks believe U.S. could have won Doves believe it would have remained a stalemate Draft is abolished Congress passes War Powers Act Pres. must inform Congress within 48 hours of sending forces into hostile area without a declaration of war Americans become suspicious of govt.