The End of the Vietnam War EQ: What events led to the end of the war?

Tet Offensive 1968 Communist forces surround and attack Khe Sanh (diversion) Coordinated attacks throughout South Vietnam at start of Tet Military defeat for North but embarrassment for U.S.

“I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”

Nixon takes office Richard Nixon wins the 1968 Presidential election Henry Kissinger & Richard Nixon

Vietnamization The gradual withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam South Vietnamese troops would be trained and take a larger role in the war

Nixon wanted to keep pressure on the North Vietnamese while peace talks progressed America increased its air strikes against the North, Cambodia & Laos Widening the War

Massacre at My Lai Incident were U.S. soldiers killed around 450 unarmed civilians Mostly older men, women, and children This caused many people to criticize the military’s actions

Increasing Protests Kent State shootings Jackson State College Anti-War Movement expands Protests turn radical

Pentagon Papers Daniel Ellsberg leaked papers Government documents that showed that gov’t officials were against the war but publicly supported it

Peace Agreement January 27, 1973 peace is reached and America pulls its remaining troops out of Vietnam North Vietnam does not have to remove any of its troops No agreement on what is to happen to South Vietnam

South Vietnam Falls March 1975, North Vietnamese Army invades South Vietnam President Gerald Ford wants to help but Congress refuses Vietnam reunited as a communist country

Wars Impact 58,000 Americans dead 300,000 Americans wounded Over 1.6 million Vietnamese dead Soldiers unappreciated War Powers Act passed

Vietnam Memorial Built in 1982 in Washington D.C.