3. Nixons War Flashcards
What was Vietnamisation?
Nixon knew that he could not use violence to get out of the war.
However he couldn’t withdraw the troops and allow communism to spread.
So Nixon had to find a new way of gradually reducing the amount of troops in Vietnam.
His strategy was to build up the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) to such a high level that it could carry on the war against the Vietcong without the help of US troops.
The Americans would train, equip and expand the ARVN with th ARVN) to such a high level that it could carry on the war against the Vietcong without the help of US troops.
The Americans would train, equip and expand the ARVN and withdraw their troops.
In other words the USA was giving the war back to the Vietnamese.
How dis Nixon use bombing campaigns to withdraw from the war?
Nixon decided to weaken the Vietcong before withdrawing his troops by bombing many of the Vietcong basis, which was located just inside Cambodia.
The bombing failed to destroy the Vietcong basis, so in April 1970 Nixon ordered the invasion of Cambodia by US troops.
On the 8th of February 1971 the ARVN were well trained enough and began an attack on North Vietnamese troops in Laos.
However the North Vietnamese troops soon beat back the ARVN and launched a major attack on the south the following year.
This attached proved that Vietnamistion was not working and meant that Communists controlled most of the country.
How did Nixon change relationships with The USSR?
In 1970 talks began to limit the amount of nuclear weapons held by the USSR and the USA.
President Nixon also asked the Soviets to put pressure on the North Vietnamese to end the Vietnam war
How did Nixon change relationships with China?
In February 1972, Nixon was invited to China and became the first US president to visit the Communist State.
He also asked China to encourage the North Vietnamese to end the war.
What was Nixon’s approach to ending the war?
Vietnamisation
Pressure – to South Vietnam, China and the USSR
Negotiation – Henry Kissinger talk to North Vietnam about a ceasefire
Bombings – On North Vietnam, supply routes in Laos and Cambodia
