The Vietnam War – The War Ends

1. The Vietnam War –The War Ends

2. Nixon Elected in 1968 • Campaigned on the promise to end the war . . . Honorably. • “Peace with honor” • Claimed to have a “secret plan” to get U.S. out of war. • Appealed to Americans wanting “law and order”

3. Nixon appealed to the“SILENT MAJORITY” Regular working Americans who disliked the youth protests/activism of the 60’s and wanted to see . . . • More “law and order” in America • A responsible end to the Vietnam War without a U.S. defeat

4. Nixon Doctrine • U.S. would honor all treaty obligations • U.S. would provide a shield if a nuclear power threatened an ally • U.S. would provide military & economic aide to allies, but would expect the nation to be provide the majority of the manpower to defend themselves.

5. How did their policies differ? Nixon: Provide support but expect the South Vietnamese to bear more of the burden to defend themselves. Johnson: Directly support South Vietnam by sending the U.S. military to fight to defend South Vietnam

6. “Peace with honor”Vietnamization Nixon’s policy to . . . GRADUALLY turn over fighting to the North Vietnamese while gradually bringing U.S. Troops home. • U.S. would focus on training the S. Vietnamese army • Return to policy similar to JFK’s policies in the early 1960’s.

7. 540,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam when Nixon took officeNixon begins Vietnamization immediately . . . • June 1969: Nixon brings 25,000 U.S. troops home from Vietnam • By December 1969: 85,000 U.S. troops brought home. (By 1970, 335,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam)

8. Nixon DECREASES troop levels and INCREASES bombing campaigns

9. CAMBODIA • March 1969: Nixon begins secret bombing campaign of Cambodia • April 30, 1970: U.S. troops invade Cambodia to clear out N. Vietnamese/Vietcong sanctuaries

10. Invasion of Cambodia sparks NEW WAVE of protests

11. Kent State Massacre

12. KSU – May 1970 • May 2: Students set fire to the KSU ROTC building. Slash firehouse. Governor James A. Rhodes sends National Guard to KSU • May 3: Students hold another rally. Dispersed by tear gas. • May 4: 2,000 students gather for rally. Throw rocks at National Guard. As students pursue Guardsman, Guardsman fire shots . . . Killing four students.

14. Paris Peace Talks • Throughout the Nixon Administration, Kissinger and N. Vietnamese representatives met in Paris. • January 1973: CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT • U.S. forces to withdrawal immediately. • All P.O.W’s released. • South Vietnam permitted to determine future. • 17th Parallel would continue to be dividing line.

16. Communist Victory • January 1975: N. Vietnamese launch offensive on northern South Vietnam. • In a few months, S. Vietnam crumbles. President flees to Thailand. • April 30, 1975: South Vietnam surrenders.

17. Post War Vietnam • Vietnam united as Socialist Republic of Vietnam. • Capital: Hanoi • Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City

18. The Story of the Hmong • During Vietnam War, CIA recruited the Hmong to fight “the secret war” • Hmong soldiers to fight North Vietnamese infiltrators in Laos and help block the Ho Chi Minh Trail. • Hmong were loyal to U.S. and were heroes in their sacrifice and bravery • 1967 – 1971:4,000 killed / 5,000 injured

19. Laos Turns Communist • 2 years after Vietnam War ends, Laos is overthrown by Communists supported by Vietnam • The Hmong became targets of Communist government because of their support of the U.S. during the Vietnam War • Thousands of the Hmong forced to flee Laos

20. Thousands of Hmong live in Refugee Camps in Thailand

21. Hmong Resettle in U.S. • First Wave (1975 – 1978): 30,000 Hmong migrate to U.S. Mostly men who fought in Laos. • Second Wave (1980 – present): Over 100,000 Hmong (mostly families) emigrate to U.S. • Today over 209,000 Hmong live in the United States!

22. Assignment Fist Bump a Hmong AECHS student today and thank them for their ancestors help and support during the Vietnam War!