Vietnam Vietnam ConflictConflict

LBJ chose not to run for LBJ chose not to run for reelectionreelection

Middle of the night updates, death tolls, opposition at home...

Involvemement Under Involvemement Under NixonNixon

“Peace with honor”

Pledged to keep SV non-comm., but hard without war

VietnamizationVietnamization war & peace at same time

withdraw US troops & allow SV to take over

Nixon DoctrineNixon Doctrine Limit US troops fighting in Asian

wars

1968-1972

Bombed along Ho Chi Minh Bombed along Ho Chi Minh Trail for 6 yrsTrail for 6 yrs150,000 tons of bombs150,000 tons of bombs

Attacks in LaosAttacks in Laos

Successful in reduced movement Successful in reduced movement along the along the

Trail, but not stopping it Trail, but not stopping it completely…completely… … … So, ARVN attempted to invade and So, ARVN attempted to invade and FAILEDFAILED 750,000 Laotians died750,000 Laotians died

Attacks in Attacks in CambodiaCambodia

US into Cambodia to “secure troops leaving VN”

US college campuses in an uproar >>>

Kent State Massacre Kent State Massacre (5/2/1970)(5/2/1970)

Riots downtown after troops to Riots downtown after troops to Cambodia Cambodia National Guard called in to campusNational Guard called in to campus student rxn: cleaned & peaceful protests student rxn: cleaned & peaceful protests but…ROTC building set on firebut…ROTC building set on fire

Kent State Massacre Kent State Massacre (5/2/1970)(5/2/1970) Not violent at first – put flowers in Not violent at first – put flowers in

riflesrifles People began to push against People began to push against GuardsGuards Guardsmen: tear gas 1Guardsmen: tear gas 1stst, bayonets, , bayonets, 70 shots fired70 shots fired 4 students died; 1 paralyzed; 8 4 students died; 1 paralyzed; 8 woundedwounded

Cooper-Church Cooper-Church AmendmentAmendment

No US troops outside of Vietnam No air raids in Cambodia w/o

Congress approval

Landmark amendment in Vietnam Ended executive privilege

Impact on CambodiaImpact on Cambodia 100,000 peasants died; 2 million homeless

Right wing government in Cambodia supported by US

Cambodians blamed government for bombings by US…

…and began to support the Khmer Rouge (communists) led by Soloth Sar (Pol Pot)

Impact on CambodiaImpact on Cambodia

Impact on CambodiaImpact on Cambodia Pol Pot was educated in France; admired

Stalin

Goal = agrarian socialism

Three groups he targeted: City Dwellers

(wealthy) Military

(high officials) Educated

The Killing Fields

led to one of bloodiest regimes in 20th century 3 years 1.5 million killed

Involvement under NixonInvolvement under Nixon Vietnamization was FAILING

Secret peace talks in Paris 1971 and through 1973

Many offensive attacks by NV & bombs by US

Then, Nixon got caught up in Watergate Scandal

“Secret” bombings now public

Nixon decided best course was to halt all action in SE Asia

Withdrawal of US Withdrawal of US TroopsTroops

Treaty of Paris was signed Cease-fire signed (includes Laos &

Cambodia) released POWs from NV Council to form

new government for SV

US sent monetary aid to SV

Withdrawal of US TroopsWithdrawal of US TroopsLast group left > Last group left > 19721972

NV didn’t break NV didn’t break promise but promise but SV leader didn’t SV leader didn’t follow throughfollow through

NV launched final NV launched final offensive in 1975offensive in 1975 SV leader resigned; ARVN SV leader resigned; ARVN surrendered to NVsurrendered to NV

Common MisconceptionsCommon Misconceptions Average age Vietnam soldier = 22 years, not

18

20% of soldiers drafted, not majority

Two famous pictures:

80% of Vietnam Veterans glad they served & reported they would serve again if they could go back in time

Most Vets = successful transition to civilian life

Most U.S. hold Vietnam Vets = high esteem

The parade of Vietnam veterans down Broadway in Manhattan, 1985; 10 years after the war the American soldiers were finally welcomed home.

After their return from Vietnam, many veterans in the US were treated with disrespect. There were few adjustment and help programs available and the public was divided in its opinion. American veterans received only partial benefits in comparison to earlier campaign veterans, Vietnam veterans were also stereotyped as drug addicts, violence seekers etc. As general interest about the war grew due to the media attention and Hollywood movies such as Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, efforts at correcting some of the problems have been made. Belated parades and memorials have sought to patch up some of the ill feeling, but many US veterans still feel that there are many areas that still need improvement.