Nixon and Vietnam

I. Nixon Triumphs Nixon won the 1968 election on a promise to restore law and order, and in vague terms promised to end the war. His candidacy was helped by the former Alabama governor George Wallace 1. A Democratic who ran as a third party candidate and supported school segregation and states rights.

II. The Pullout Begins Nixon began to pull troops out of Vietnam but continued to wage war. Nixon’s plan was known as Vietnamization, in which he called for withdrawal of US troops and the South Vietnamese take a more active role.

III. More Fighting! Nixon bombed Cambodia to clear out Vietcong supply centers but didn't’t inform Congress of this which caused them to repeal the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. Over 200 innocent Vietnamese were murdered in the My Lai Massacre. C. Nixon claimed there was a silent majority that supported his war policies

IV. Violence on Campuses A) 1. Kent State- Protestors burnt down the ROTC building The National Guard was called in, they shot and killed four people. 2. Jackson State- National guard killed 2 more protestors B) The Silent Majority supported the National Guard

V. The 26th Amendment Lowered the voting age to 18. Anti-war protest led by college students was the catalyst for this amendment.

VI. Political Effects The Pentagon Papers were leaked which showed that the government was already making plans to invade Vietnam when Johnson was promising not to send troops. 1. Led to more distrust of the government. B. The War Powers Act attempted to limit the president’s war making ability. 1. Requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of using troops 2. The president must withdraw the troops within 90 days unless Congress approves.