Chapter 30The Vietnam War

Section 4The War Winds Down

Nixon Moves To End The War

• Nixon appoints Henry Kissinger as special asst. for national security and gave him authority to use diplomacy to end the conflict.

• Kissinger used linkage to persuade Soviets & Chinese to cut back aid to N. Vietnam.

• Kissinger held secret talks with Le Duc Tho over a possible cease-fire.

Henry Kissinger Le Duc Tho

Nixon Moves To End The War

• Nixon cut the number of troops in Vietnam.• This is known as Vietnamization.• S. Vietnam assumed more of the fighting.• Nixon maintained a strong presence and air

support while removing troops.

My Lai

• November, 1969, an American platoon under the command of Lieutenant William Calley massacred 200 unarmed civilians.

• Calley went to prison for his role.

My Lai

William Calley Civilians after the massacre

Protest

• April 1970, America invades Cambodia.• This was seen by many as widening the war and

will set off many protests.• Kent State University – May 4 – National Guard

fired on protesters without orders to do so.• 4 students killed 9 wounded.• 10 days later 2 students killed at Jackson State

College in Mississippi.

Protest

Kent State University Jackson State College

Pentagon Papers

• Due to backlash of Cambodia Invasion Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution taking away power in directing the war in Vietnam.

• 1971 – Pentagon Papers go public showing Johnson’s men questioned the war but publicly supported the effort.

• Papers showed actions taken without approval of Congress.

• Confirmed the Gov’t had not been honest with the people.

U.S. Leaves Vietnam

• October, 1972 – month before the Presidential election, Kissinger announces that, “peace is at hand”.

• Nixon wins the election in a landslide.• Weeks after the election peace talks break

down.

U.S. Leaves Vietnam

• “Christmas Bombings” – For 11 days U.S. bombed N. Vietnam only stopping on Christmas Day.

• After the two sides began to negotiate again.• South allows Northern troops to stay in South.• January 27, 1973 – peace agreement signed• U.S. removes troops and 8 years later U.S.

ends any involvement in Vietnam.

The Legacy of Vietnam

• Cost the nation $170 Billion• 58,000 Americans dead• Over 300,000 injured• Over 1 million Vietnamese dead• 1982 Vietnam War Memorial dedicated

Vietnam War Memorial

War’s Impact

• War Power’s Act – 1973 – reestablished some limits on executive powers.

• Required the president to inform Congress of any commitment of troops abroad within 48 hours and to withdraw them within 60 to 90 days unless approved otherwise.

• Increased cynicism about the U.S. Government.

End of Chapter 30