Nixon Moves to End the Vietnam War Chapter 17 - Section 4

OverviewOverview 1. Nixon working to end war thru “Vietnamization” 2. My Lai Massacre 3. Invasion of Cambodia 4. Kent State Protests 5. Pentagon Papers 1. Nixon working to end war thru “Vietnamization” 2. My Lai Massacre 3. Invasion of Cambodia 4. Kent State Protests 5. Pentagon Papers

Nixon Moves to End War After taking office - Nixon moved to end war Appointed Henry Kissinger to National Security Affairs (Nobel Peace Prize for ending war with Vietnam) Kissinger negotiated with Le Duc Tho for 4 years trying to end the war Policy called Linkage = improve relations with China and Soviet Union Persuade them to cut back on their aide to Vietnam Also negotiated cease fire / return of American POW’s & the fate of S. Vietnam After taking office - Nixon moved to end war Appointed Henry Kissinger to National Security Affairs (Nobel Peace Prize for ending war with Vietnam) Kissinger negotiated with Le Duc Tho for 4 years trying to end the war Policy called Linkage = improve relations with China and Soviet Union Persuade them to cut back on their aide to Vietnam Also negotiated cease fire / return of American POW’s & the fate of S. Vietnam

Nixon Moves to End War cont... June Nixon began to withdraw troops (25,000) Process called Vietnamization = Am. troop withdrawal & S.Vietnamese take over fighting Not a surrender but a reduction in forces Nixon still wanted to maintain strong presence / help negotiate peace To get N.V. to negotiate, Nixon began bombing VC in Cambodia June Nixon began to withdraw troops (25,000) Process called Vietnamization = Am. troop withdrawal & S.Vietnamese take over fighting Not a surrender but a reduction in forces Nixon still wanted to maintain strong presence / help negotiate peace To get N.V. to negotiate, Nixon began bombing VC in Cambodia

Invasion of Cambodia Nixon invaded Cambodia to destroy VC bases Upset many in congress & across country Considered expanding the war / Protests broke out Nixon invaded Cambodia to destroy VC bases Upset many in congress & across country Considered expanding the war / Protests broke out

Kent State Massacre Invasion of Cambodia by Nixon sparked protests Many viewed invasion of Cambodia as a widening of the war Kent State University - May National Guard fired on protestors without permission Students killed 4 / wounded 9 More demonstration took place in the Nation and many colleges were closed Invasion of Cambodia by Nixon sparked protests Many viewed invasion of Cambodia as a widening of the war Kent State University - May National Guard fired on protestors without permission Students killed 4 / wounded 9 More demonstration took place in the Nation and many colleges were closed

Massacre at My Lai Platoon under Lt. William Calley - massacred over civilians - Killed women/children/elderly / raped women Lt. Calley went to prison for Crime Concern for mental health of soldiers Platoon under Lt. William Calley - massacred over civilians - Killed women/children/elderly / raped women Lt. Calley went to prison for Crime Concern for mental health of soldiers

My Lai Massacre Psychology vs. Morality vs. Orders Were the soldiers to blame? Psychology vs. Morality vs. Orders Were the soldiers to blame?

Pentagon Papers Daniel Ellsberg - (Former Defense worker) leaked information; Known as the “Pentagon Papers” Papers: Revealed many in govt questioned the war Contained decisions made by the president and advisors Revealed how they deceived congress and public 1. Didn't notify congress of actions 2. Public lost faith on government Daniel Ellsberg - (Former Defense worker) leaked information; Known as the “Pentagon Papers” Papers: Revealed many in govt questioned the war Contained decisions made by the president and advisors Revealed how they deceived congress and public 1. Didn't notify congress of actions 2. Public lost faith on government

U.S. Pulls out of Vietnam By /3 of citizens wanted out Kissinger Strikes peace deal 1 month before election Nixon re-elected Weeks after election - Peace talks broke down By /3 of citizens wanted out Kissinger Strikes peace deal 1 month before election Nixon re-elected Weeks after election - Peace talks broke down

U.S. Pulls out of Vietnam U.S. forced negotiations to resume “Christmas Bombings”- B-52 Dropped thousands of tons of bombs for 12 days (paused on Christmas) Peace talks resumed and on Jan 27, End of War U.S. forced negotiations to resume “Christmas Bombings”- B-52 Dropped thousands of tons of bombs for 12 days (paused on Christmas) Peace talks resumed and on Jan 27, End of War

S. Vietnam Falls After Troop withdrawal - March N. Vietnamese launched invasion S. Vietnam asked U.S.for help / Congress said = No S. Vietnam under fell to communist rule Nixon Resigned (Watergate) Gerald Ford took over presidency After Troop withdrawal - March N. Vietnamese launched invasion S. Vietnam asked U.S.for help / Congress said = No S. Vietnam under fell to communist rule Nixon Resigned (Watergate) Gerald Ford took over presidency

War Toll 170 Billion Dollars U.S. - 58,000 Dead / over 300,000 wounded over 1 million North and South Vietnamese died Countless civilians Est POW/MIA 170 Billion Dollars U.S. - 58,000 Dead / over 300,000 wounded over 1 million North and South Vietnamese died Countless civilians Est POW/MIA

End of War Many Soldiers had trouble adjusting to civilian life War Powers Act - Established limits of Executive Power President to inform congress of troop commitment in 48 hrs Must withdraw in 60 to 90 days unless congress approves Many Soldiers had trouble adjusting to civilian life War Powers Act - Established limits of Executive Power President to inform congress of troop commitment in 48 hrs Must withdraw in 60 to 90 days unless congress approves

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