Peace Talks and Withdrawal from Vietnam
Protest in America
Events in Vietnam
Political Events
Walter Cronkite
1968 – Tet Offensive
Peace Talks Begin in
Bombing over N.Vietnam stops
Paris
“War unwinnable”
Johnson Resigns
“I have lost Middle America”.
Middle classes turn against War – Protests Increase.
Protest Movements begin to slow down. Middle America satisfied with Nixon policy.
1968-73 – Drag Out
Want South Vietnam to be independent & free from communist interference.
North AIMS
Vietnamisation Begins This meant gradually withdrawing US troops and Increasing supplies and funding to the ARVN 25,000 left in 1969 150,000 in 1970 400,000 in total by 1971. This would leave 150,000 troops in Vietnam.
US AIMS
Want South Vietnam to be independent & free from USA interference.
Nixon had to apply pressure on the negotiations without appearing to go back on his election promises to the public. Nixon felt obliged to stick to his promise and bring US soldiers home.
Conscription Introduced to all men in the South aged 17-43 – but this was hard to achieve in a rural country.
Protests Increase May 1970 Kent State Massacre (Ohio)
My Lai Massacre comes to light in media.
Vietnam Veterans Launch the ‘Winter Soldier Investigation’ which highlighted
1972
1971
NVA, recovered from Tet, armed with Soviet tanks, invaded South Vietnam.
Growing anger over dragging peace
They swept most of the VC out of the country and seized huge amounts of supplies – 22,500 weapons, 8,000 tonnes of rice and more. They were supported by American B-52 bombers who performed nearly 8,000 missions. Big success.
further horrors from Vietnam.
Public approval of Nixon’s Vietnam policy was down to 34%. Throughout 1971, protests groups campaigned against the war. This culminated with 500,000 marching on Washington, with 12,000 arrested
1970
1970 Cambodia Invaded
Operation Linebacker began in April 1972. This lasted for nearly 2 years. In Christmas 1972, 200,000 bombs fell on Northern cities including the capitol, Hanoi. The US even invented the ‘madmen theory’.
April – May 1975
talks. Nixon angry at continual hit and run attacks from Cambodia.
1972
(Peace Talks, Paris)
North Invade the South – Saigon falls and the US dramatically withdraw embassy staff. Vietnam becomes one united Communist country.
All US forces removed from Vietnam. “Peace With Honour” (Nixon). Re-elected in 1972. US Prisoners of War released by North Vietnam. Government of South Vietnam allowed to continue, but North Vietnamese forces could stay in areas that they already controlled. Elections to be held to determine whether Vietnam would be united or not 1972-1974 – USA Withdraw 1974 - Nixon Resigns