Vietnam+-+The+End+of+the+War+Notes


 * **NIXON AND VIETNAM**


 * Nixon's Vietnam policy - Vietnamization - the policy for winding down the war**
 * troops were withdrawn, training and equipment was given to South Vietnamese, by 1972, only 24,200 troops remained
 * However, bombing raids increased, hurting the supply lines of North Vietnam - the bombing expanded to other countries - Laos and Cambodia
 * U.S. ground forces invaded **Cambodia** in spring 1970 – this led to more opposition
 * May 4, 1970 - **Kent State University**


 * Peace talks -1972 - between Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho**

In July, word leaked that Henry Kissinger had been meeting privately in Paris with the North Vietnamese Foreign Secretary
 * in October, only days before the election, Kissinger announced that " **Peace is at Hand** "
 * several weeks later, after the election, talks broke down again
 * January 27, 1973 - agreement on ending the war and restoring **peace in Vietnam** in VietnamU.S. troops leave Vietnam POW's released, cease-fire between the North and South || [[image:turningpoints:nixonvietnam.jpg width="384" height="258" align="center" caption="nixonvietnam.jpg"]] ||


 * [[image:turningpoints:usnp003.jpg width="322" height="283" caption="usnp003.jpg"]] || = THE FALL OF SAIGON =
 * North Vietnamese military attacks
 * Saigon falls
 * Vietnam is reunited under communism
 * North Vietnam wins the war (which means the US lost)
 * Saigon renamed to Ho Chi Minh City ||


 * The Legacy of Vietnam**


 * In Southeast Asia:**
 * 1.5 million **Vietnamese** deaths
 * countless Vietnamese civilians wounded, homeless
 * **Agrarian** society in shambles
 * Southeast Asia left highly unstable
 * **Cambodia** fell to communism after terror


 * In America: America Copes**
 * **58,000** Americans killed
 * **365,000** wounded
 * **$150** billion in direct costs
 * U.S. attempts to come to grips with a "loss" - blow to **self-esteem**


 * Several major U.S. changes as a result of the conflict**
 * government abolished the **draft**, which had stirred up so much of the antiwar sentiment
 * **War Powers Act** - curb the power of the President for making war - US forces are sent into a hostile area without a declaration of war - the troops may only stay there 90 days unless Congress approves of the action and/or declares war
 * altered American **foreign policy** - risks are considered, because no one wants another Vietnam
 * overall **cynicism** in Americans about their government and their political leaders -

The **Disillusionment** of those who served
 * **Veterans** **extended a cold hand**
 * **some veterans suffered from** **stress**
 * many citizens **embittered** toward government
 * entire **generation** of Americans was affected


 * [[image:turningpoints:Picture1.jpg width="306" height="659" caption="Picture1.jpg"]] || **WHAT IS THE LEGACY OF VIETNAM?**
 * Didn't want to create a second Vietnam
 * Many didn't tell their children much
 * Some compare the War in Afghanistan to the Vietnam War today ||