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January 13, 2011

This article explores the legacy of the Vietnam War, including the impact of Henry Kissinger's Vietnamization policy, the shocking My Lai Massacre, the invasion of Cambodia, the repeal of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, and the disillusionment of the American people.

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January 13, 2011

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  1. January 13, 2011 • What legacy did Vietnam leave behind? • Did you do your homework • 12 Essential Topics of the Legacy of Vietnam • Homework: Study (Test Tuesday)

  2. Henry Kissinger • National Secretary Advisor who conferred with Nixon and came up with Vietmanization • Over next three years, the number of troops goes from 500,000 to 25,000

  3. Kissinger & Nixon’s Vietnamization Policy • Aimed for “peace with honor” • Maintaining dignity in face of withdrawal • Preserve U.S. clout • Demanding S.V. government remain in tact • N.V. and Vietcong wanted S.V. government to step aside and U.S. to leave • War continued even with negotiations • Secretly ordering bombing of neighboring countries • Nixon appealed to silent majority – Average Americans who quietly supported the president

  4. My Lai Massacre Shocks Americans • November 1969 – Americans learn of the event • March 1968 – U.S. platoon massacred innocent civilians in small village of My Lai (Northern S.V.) • Lieutenant William Calley, Jr. was searching for Vietcong and found no enemy • Troops rounded up villagers and shot more than 200 (mostly women, children, and elderly men) • Troops insisted they were only following orders • Only Calley convicted and imprisoned

  5. Nixon Orders Invasion of Cambodia • April 1970 – Nixon announces invasion of Cambodia to clear out N.V. and Vietcong supplies • College students across the nation burst out in protest

  6. First Student Strike in U.S. History • Kent State University in Ohio – massive student protest that led to burning of the ROTC building • Local mayor called in the National Guard • Guards fired live ammunition into crowd of campus protestors who were hurling rocks at them • Wounded 9, killed 4 (2 were innocent bystanders)

  7. Congress Repeals Tonkin Gulf Resoution • Cambodia policy cost political support • Bombing then invading without notifying Congress • December 1970 – Congress repealed Tonkin Gulf Resolution • Support declined further with the Pentagon Papers • Revealed plans for entering war even as Johnson promised he would not send troops • Showed that there was no plan to end war as long as the N.V. persisted • Confirmed American beliefs that the government was lying to them

  8. A Quick Look at 1972 • Public opinion toward war and grueling stalemate lead Nixon to end the war

  9. Christmas Bombings • President promised peace and won reelection • Peace proved to be elusive • Theiu rejected U.S. plans and peace talks broke off • The President unleashed bombing campaigns against largest cities in N.V. • Such “Christmas Bombings” stopped Christmas Day • Congress, Moscow, and Beijing called to end the war • January 1973 – U.S. signs agreement of peace • N.V. would remain in S.V. • Nixon promised that if peace agreement was broken, U.S. would respond with full force

  10. S.V. surrenders to N.V. • War raged on without the U.S. • March 1975 – N.V. launched full-scale invasion of S.V. • U.S. provided economic aid only • President Ford refused to send any more troops (according to U.S. opinion) • April 1975 – N.V. rolled into Saigon and captured the city • S.V. surrendered to N.V.

  11. Vietnam Soldiers Receive Cold Homecoming • No brass band • No victory parades • No cheering crowds • Many faced indifference • Some faced hostility • Many suffered PTSD • Some began abusing drugs or alcohol • Several committed suicide • Memorial will be unveiled in 1982 in effort to honor those men/women who served

  12. Cambodia Erupts in Civil War • Communists soon imprisoned S.V. in reeducation or labor camps • Communists imposed their rule throughout the land • 1.5 million people fled Vietnam • People of Cambodia suffered brutal civil war in which a communist group (Khmer Rouge) seized power in 1975 • Executed professionals, anyone educated, or tied to foreigners • Said to have killed 1 million Cambodians

  13. Congress Passes War Powers Act • November 1973 – president must inform Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into a hostile area without a declaration of war • Troops may remain no longer than 90 days unless approved by Congress

  14. The Draft is Abolished • Government abolished the draft • Draft had stirred antiwar sentiment

  15. Lost Faith in Government • Americans now pause and consider risks to their own interests before deciding whether to intervene in affairs of other nations • Contributed to an overall cynicism among Americans about their government and political leaders that persists today • Grew suspicious of government leaders

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