Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects

Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects Learning Objectives Assess Nixon’s new approach to the war, and explain why protests continued. Explain what led to the Paris Peace Accords and why South Vietnam eventually fell to the communists. Evaluate the impact of the Vietnam War on the United States. Vietnamization My Lai Pentagon Papers Paris Peace Accords. Roy P. Benavidez War Powers Act

My Lai Massacre: My Lai – S. Vietnamese Village (March 1968) US platoon massacred over 200 innocent women and children in the small village of My Lai Lieutenant William Calley and his men were looking for Vietcong rebels – they didn’t find any Men Women and Children Killed 400-500 Hundred Calley was convicted and imprisoned – the others were charged for minor offenses

The Pullout Begins: Nixon realized Vietnam War needed to end Negotiations begin US wants POWs returned and all communists out of S. Vietnam N. Vietnam USA out of Vietnam + representatives in coalition Government Nixon refused negotiations “Peace with Honor” Nixon announced US troops withdrawal (1969) Vietnamization – gradual withdraw of US troops in order for the S. Vietnamese to take a more active combat role in the war. Over the next three years, the number of troops in Vietnam would drop from 500,000 to 25,000 Nixon secretly bombs (Hopes to bring N. Vietnamese to negotiate) North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia HO CHI MINH TRAIL + Communist Bases

III. THE INVASION OF CAMBODIA SPARKS PROTEST Pres. Nixon announces the invasion of Cambodia to destroy Vietcong military bases. (April 30, 1970) Americans felt this act was widening the war, College Protests (Kent, Jackson State) Kent State University, National guardsmen shot and killed four students, wounded 9 others. “Four dead in Ohio” Nation wide pressure to end war in Vietnam

Events Intensify the Antiwar Movement Fourteen-year-old Mary Ann Vecchio kneels over the body of Kent State student Jeffrey Miller, age 20. Also killed were Allison Krause, 19; William Schroeder, 19; and Sandra Scheuer, 20.

The Pentagon Papers: Congress furious with Nixon Bombing and invading Cambodia without Congressional approval Congress repeal the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, limiting Nixon’s wartime powers Pentagon Papers (1971) 7,000 page report describing Johnson’s escalating war plans (when he was telling the American people that he was pulling troops out of the war) New York Times v. United States American Leaders lied to the American public and Congress about various stories about the Vietnam War. Never a plan to end the war Napalm Body Count Figures inaccurate

THE US WITHDRAWS Paris Peace Treaty Nixon is re-elected in November1972 and peace talks fail Beginning on December 18, American B-52s and fighter-bombers dropped over 20,000 tons of bombs on the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. North Vietnam claimed that over 1,600 civilians were killed. Paris Peace Treaty January 1973, a cease fire was announced and US troops withdrew. Our POW’s are brought home AFTER THE U.S LEAVES IN 1973, FIGHTING BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH VIETNAM WILL CONTNUE UNTIL APRIL 1975 – THE NORTH WILL OVERRUN AND DEFEAT THE SOUTH The countries will be united as a communist nation

All 400 Americans and 4,000 Vietnamese were saved Many were left behind THE ONLY ESCAPE IS OFF THE ROOF OF THE EMBASSY BY HELICOPTER OUT TO WAITING US NAVY SHIPS

The War Leaves a Painful Legacy: The Vietnam War: 58,000 American killed 303,000 wounded North and South Vietnamese deaths topped 2,000,000 The war left many Americans cautious about their government. Congress passed War Powers Act 1973 president must inform Congress of military decisions The war diminished American faith in their government Hip Hughes War Powers Act

Analyze Data Compare the total number of civilian casualties to the number of military casualties. What do the totals tell you about the effects of modern warfare on civilian populations?

THE LASTING LEGACY OF VIETNAM The longest and least successful war ever. (until the “War Against Terrorism”) B. 58,195 Americans died, 300,000 wounded and $150 billion dollars was spent. C. The Vietnamese lost 2-3 million soldiers and civilians – 1/3 their population D. The US was now divided socially and politically. E. Soldiers who returned struggled with PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce etc F. There are still 2,300 missing in action (MIA); most presumed dead and many were pilots who were shop down over the sea or in dense jungle. Many were also classified as prisoners of war (POW).

VIETNAM MEMORIAL DEDICATED NOVEMBER 1982 THE WALL HOLDS 58,195 NAMES There are 6 women, all nurses.

Analyze Information What economic problems affected the greatest number of Americans? Explain.