American Government American Government Chapter 31: The Chapter 31: The

Vietnam WarVietnam War

IV. The End of the WarIV. The End of the War

ObjectivesObjectives

Learn how President Nixon’s policies led Learn how President Nixon’s policies led to American withdrawal from Vietnam.to American withdrawal from Vietnam.

Discover why President Nixon Discover why President Nixon campaigned promising to restore law campaigned promising to restore law and order.and order.

See what happened in Vietnam after See what happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces.the withdrawal of American forces.

Determine the legacy of the Vietnam Determine the legacy of the Vietnam War.War.

BellringerBellringer

Is it possible for a United States Is it possible for a United States President to continue a course of President to continue a course of action strongly opposed by most of action strongly opposed by most of the American people?the American people?

In what ways can the people make In what ways can the people make their opinions known to the their opinions known to the President?President?

How did President Nixon’s policies How did President Nixon’s policies lead to American withdrawal from lead to American withdrawal from

Vietnam?Vietnam? Paris Peace TalkParis Peace Talk – Kissinger met in – Kissinger met in

Paris secretly to end warParis secretly to end war Withdrawing Troops – Starting in June Withdrawing Troops – Starting in June

1969 – by 1972 – 24,000 troops1969 – by 1972 – 24,000 troops VietnamizationVietnamization – let the South – let the South

gradually take over the fightinggradually take over the fighting Attacked Cambodia because VC were Attacked Cambodia because VC were

attacking from thereattacking from there

Why did President Nixon campaign Why did President Nixon campaign promising to restore law and order?promising to restore law and order?

Antiwar effort started getting violent – Antiwar effort started getting violent – “Weathermen” in Chicago attacked police “Weathermen” in Chicago attacked police on purposeon purpose

Silent Majority – Nixon believed their was a Silent Majority – Nixon believed their was a large group of Americans for the war that large group of Americans for the war that were not protesting – wanted their votewere not protesting – wanted their vote

Kent State and Jackson State – college Kent State and Jackson State – college protest turned bloody when Guard and protest turned bloody when Guard and police fired on protesters – end to violencepolice fired on protesters – end to violence

What happened in Vietnam What happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of after the withdrawal of

American forces?American forces? US left in 1973 – South Vietnam fell in US left in 1973 – South Vietnam fell in

19751975 US evacuated civilians until Saigon fell.US evacuated civilians until Saigon fell. Vietnam became a single nationsVietnam became a single nations Domino Theory – Cambodia and Laos Domino Theory – Cambodia and Laos

fell – no morefell – no more ““boat people” – 1.5 million people left boat people” – 1.5 million people left

area by boat – many came to USarea by boat – many came to US

What was the legacy of the What was the legacy of the Vietnam War?Vietnam War?

2,500 US POW and MIA - No parades -2,500 US POW and MIA - No parades -Cost US 150 billionCost US 150 billion

More bombs fell on Vietnam than WWIIMore bombs fell on Vietnam than WWII Vietnamese dead – millionsVietnamese dead – millions 1994 – no sanctions – full trade status1994 – no sanctions – full trade status Vietnam Veterans Memorial – built in Vietnam Veterans Memorial – built in

1982 – 21 year old Maya Ying Lin 1982 – 21 year old Maya Ying Lin Black – reflection, dead in order diedBlack – reflection, dead in order died

ReviewReview

How did President Nixon’s policies lead How did President Nixon’s policies lead to American withdrawal from Vietnam?to American withdrawal from Vietnam?

Why did President Nixon campaign Why did President Nixon campaign promising to restore law and order?promising to restore law and order?

What happened in Vietnam after the What happened in Vietnam after the withdrawal of American forces?withdrawal of American forces?

What was the legacy of the Vietnam What was the legacy of the Vietnam War?War?