1. The End of the Vietnam War
Why does America lose the Vietnam War?

2. New York Times receives a leaked secret Vietnam memo
The Pentagon Papers
New York Times receives a leaked secret Vietnam memo
Memo leaked by Daniel Ellsburg showed LBJ planned to escalate war as long as NV existed (despite promise to end)
VQ1) Why did Ellsberg want to release the documents?
VQ2) What was the fear at NYT about releasing the docs?
VQ3) How did Nixon’s Admin react? What did Ellsberg do?

3. Vietnamization of the War
As war become more unpopular, Nixon and Ntl Security Advisor Henry Kissinger devise a plan known as Vietnamization
1) US will pull out combat troops and turn over ground fighting to ARVN, 2) will increase bombing w/ Operation Linebacker

4. My Lai Massacre
New York Times reports a massacre committed by U.S. soldiers in village of My Lai
While searching for VC rebels, Lt. William Calley orders troops to open fire on 100s of Vietnamese villagers
25 officers charged, only Calley is sent to prison

5. US Invades Cambodia
1970: Nixon announces US troops have invaded Cambodia
Nixon says US must stop VC supply lines along Ho Chi Minh trail
College students around the country burst into protests

6. More Violent Protests
National Guard opens fire into a crowd at Kent State University 4 people killed
Happens again ten days later at Jackson State (Mississippi)
Hawks say its justified, Doves say its murder! Protest movement moves away from peace & love to violent resistance
1972: Actress Jane Fonda travels to Hanoi, shows sympathy for Vietnamese causing conservative backlash

7. 1973: Nixon sends Henry Kissinger to negotiate an end to the war
Fall of Saigon
1973: Nixon sends Henry Kissinger to negotiate an end to the war
US, N. Vietnam & S. Vietnam sign Paris Peace Accords
Congress passes War Powers Act – limiting President’s ability to wage war without Congressional Approval
: North Vietnam invades South Vietnam
President asks Congress to help but Congress refuses.
Saigon, S. Vietnamese capital falls in April of North & South Vietnam are unified. Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City

8. Counterculture Movement Turns Violent
A faction of SDS, called the Weather Collective (later, Weathermen) calls for a violent overthrow of the US govt
Group goes underground and begins bombing campaign against govt
1973: Militant group called Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) demanded changes to help the poor
Became famous for kidnapping Patty Hearst and brainwashing her into helping with an SF bank robbery