The End of the War and Its Legacy

Section 30*5pp. 960-967

Nixon and Vietnamization

• “Peace With Honor” – Vietnamization:

Gradual pullout of US troops

– Nixon ordered massive bombing of Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam

Trouble Continues on the Home Front

• My Lai Massacre– U.S. troops killed

200 women, children, and elderly men in My Lai

– Turned public opinion against US Army

Trouble Continues on the Home Front

• Invasion of Cambodia (1970)– Try to destroy

Vietcong supply centers

– Nationwide college protests

• Violence on Campus– Kent State: National

Guard kill 4 protestors

• Pentagon Papers– Confirmed gov’t was dishonest about

war – Led Congress to repeal the Tonkin

Gulf Resolution in 1970– Increased public distrust of the gov’t

Trouble Continues on the Home Front

Longest War Ends

• “Peace is at Hand”– March 1972: Vietcong launch major

offensive– October 1972: Peace with North

Vietnam • South Vietnam rejected terms

Longest War Ends

• Final Push – Christmas Bombings

• Try to pressure N. Vietnam to end war

– January 1973: Peace Agreement Reached• NV troops remain in SV• Nixon promises US will defend treaty

– March 1973: Last troops leave

Longest War Ends

• Fall of Saigon – March 1975: NV

launch attack vs. SV

– US doesn’t send military support

– April 30, 1975: Saigon falls to NV