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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Nixon Moves to End War cont... June 1969 - 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 1969 - 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

5. 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

6. 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 1970 - 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 1970 - National Guard fired on protestors without permission Students killed 4 / wounded 9 More demonstration took place in the Nation and many colleges were closed

7. Massacre at My Lai 1968 - Platoon under Lt. William Calley - massacred over 350 - 500 civilians - Killed women/children/elderly / raped women Lt. Calley went to prison for Crime Concern for mental health of soldiers 1968 - Platoon under Lt. William Calley - massacred over 350 - 500 civilians - Killed women/children/elderly / raped women Lt. Calley went to prison for Crime Concern for mental health of soldiers

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

9. 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

10. U.S. Pulls out of Vietnam By 1971 - 2/3 of citizens wanted out Kissinger Strikes peace deal 1 month before election Nixon re-elected Weeks after election - Peace talks broke down By 1971 - 2/3 of citizens wanted out Kissinger Strikes peace deal 1 month before election Nixon re-elected Weeks after election - Peace talks broke down

11. 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, 1973 - 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, 1973 - End of War

12. S. Vietnam Falls After Troop withdrawal - March 1975 - 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 1975 - 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

13. 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. 1500 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. 1500 POW/MIA

14. 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

15. Questions???????