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The End of the War in Vietnam

A Brief Overview Following 33.4. The End of the War in Vietnam. In October 1972, Nixon announced peace was at hand. Nixon wins in a historic landslide in November 1972 Peace talks break off when South Vietnam rejects the terms. Nixon begins the most severe bombing of the war in December 1972

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The End of the War in Vietnam

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  1. A Brief Overview Following 33.4 The End of the War in Vietnam

  2. In October 1972, Nixon announced peace was at hand. Nixon wins in a historic landslide in November 1972 Peace talks break off when South Vietnam rejects the terms. Nixon begins the most severe bombing of the war in December 1972 Resumes negotiations in January- Cease fire 27 January 1973 Peace with honor

  3. In October 1972, Nixon announced peace was at hand. Nixon wins in a historic landslide in November 1972 Peace talks break off when South Vietnam rejects the terms. Nixon begins the most severe bombing of the war in December 1972 Resumes negotiations in January- Cease fire 27 January 1973 Peace with honor

  4. Negotiations to produce “peace with honor” dragged on through President Nixon’s first term from 1969-1972 Nixon worked to draw down troop strength and “Vietnamize” the war Attempts to support ARVN forces against North Vietnam and Vietcong proved difficult Nixon works to build ties with Communist China to put more pressure on North Vietnam With fewer American troops, Nixon would become more dependant on air power “Madman theory”- convince North Vietnam that Nixon would use nuclear weapons in order to press negotiations Goal- leave Vietnam with South Vietnam in tact Negotiations Continue

  5. In October 1972, Nixon announced peace was at hand. Nixon wins in a historic landslide in November 1972 Peace talks break off when South Vietnam rejects the terms. Nixon begins the most severe bombing of the war in December 1972 Resumes negotiations in January- Cease fire 27 January 1973 Peace with honor

  6. The cease fire offered no political settlement for how South Vietnam would be governed • America promised the government of Saigon aid if attacked • North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam in January 1975- quickly over-ran the country • America did not offer aid- no interest in re-opening its commitment to Saigon • Americans evacuated the country • South Vietnamese government surrendered 30 April 1975 South Vietnam and the Aftermath of the cease fire… a bitter legacy

  7. Vietnamese and minorities who supported the Americans like the Hmong attempted to leave the country • Some evacuated with the last Americans • Americans took hundreds of baby orphans • Thousands of Vietnamese took to the water in small boats hoping for rescue- boat people • 1.5 million refugees left Southeast Asia- 730,000 ended up in America Refugees and the war

  8. Americans wanted to forget this unpopular war following the cease fire • This often meant that the contributions and needs of soldiers who served were ignored • Many soldiers became bitter and broken by this neglect • Concern that American MIA’s (missing in action) were still being held in North Vietnam • Physically and psychologically broken sailors and soldiers neglected • Many soldiers felt sold out by the American public South Vietnam and the Aftermath of the cease fire… a bitter legacy

  9. The Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal would deeply wound Americans faith in their government • Faith and trust in government deeply shaken • Vietnam Syndrome- American foreign less confident in the use of force to achieve the containment of Communism • Communists also see the great cost in challenging America’s opposition to communism • President Ronald Reagan will re-ignite American confidence through a conservative shift in government Coming to terms with history

  10. By the early 1980’s, a memorial to those who were killed in Vietnam was built on the National Mall as a deferred gesture of gratitude to a nation coming to terms with this divisive war The memorial is a somber black wall that contains the names of 58,000 Americans who died in an attempt to block the spread of communism A virtual Vietnam Wall is on the home page of the class wiki Restoring honor to veterans

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