3.4 - Changes Under Nixon, 1969-73 Flashcards
Why did Vietnam play a big part in the election for Nixon?
Vietnam played a big part in the election for president Nixon and knew that people were angry that Johnson lied about the war. Nixan did not want to leave the war if South Vietnam became communist, but he saw the growing opposition to Us troops fighting in Vietnam.
What were several approaches Nixon had to the war?
- Official peace talks
- Secret peace talks
- Troop withdrawls
- ARVN training
- Secret bombing of Cambodia - to disrupt Ho Chi Minh trail
What did Nixon do on the 25th July 1969?
On 25th July 1969, Nixon gave a speech outlining what came to be known as the Nixon Doctrine. It laid down what the role of the USA should be in Southeast Asian politics in the future.
He said :
- The Us would honour any treaty commitments it had made the USA would help any ally against a nuclear threat
- Provide aid and training against non- nuclear threats (but not troops)
What was ‘Vietnamisation’?
The word used for application of the Nixon
Doctrine to Vietnam
What were the key features of Vietnamisation?
- Shifted the responsibility of fighting to the ARVN
- Withdrawl with ‘honour’
- US Troops withdraw but without looking like a defeat
- US still provide training and equipment
- Soutn Vietnam to remain separate country and would not fall to communism
What were the reasons of failure for Vietnamisation?
The actions / attitudes of troops - Motivation to win dwindled, instances of officers being “fragged” by their own soldiers (96 in 1969 to 209 in 1970). Drug use particularly marjuana surged affecting about 35,000 in 1971
Problems of ARVN - Despite conscription lacked sufficient soldiers, desertion was rampant (150,000 men in 1971)
Training and equipment - Funding limitations emerged. 75% of leaders had less than a years experience in 1971
Economic and political Problems - Departure lead to an economic crisis, 300,000 jobs lost and loss of billions in US aid. South Vietnam government regime viewed as a “puppet” regime
What did Nixon do to expand the conflict?
Nixon ordered the bombing of Cambodia to bomb the Ho chi Minn Trail in Cambodia, run to destroy the VC bases
He Justifies the invasion of Cambodia by saying it is essential for the withdrawl program,”Keep the casualties of our brave men to a minimum” and instead of keeping the war to a minimum end quick than drag on
This seems strange given his election promises as in 1968 he said he was going to withdraw but is now expanding the war to Cambodia (neighbouring country)
What were the bombings Nixon had done?
- Bombing and invasion of Cambodia, 1970
- Invasion of Laos, 1971
- Easter Offensive and Operation Linebacker 1972
What were the key features of the Bombing and invasion of Cambodia, 1970?
- US had been secretly Bombing Ho Chi Minh Trail in Cambodia since 1969
- US and ARVN invaded to save Cambodia from Khmer Rouge communist guerillas
What was the effect of the Bombing and invasion of Cambodia, 1970?
- Damage done to Ho Chi Minh Trail,11,000 Communists killed
- BUT - communists used parts of the trail that went through Laos instead and many Communists fled into safer places
- Huge public outcry in US - Congress furious and called for less funding for war and faster withdrawal
What were the key features of the invasion of Laos, 1971?
- US provided air support for ARVN invasion of 21000 troops to defeat communist groups in Laos and destroy the trail.
- The North Vietnamese gathered 36,000 troops to fight a battle
What was the effect of the invasion of Laos, 1971?
- Battle of Ichepone was bloody and eventually resulted in the ARVN retreating
- Invasion raised serious doubts about Vietnamisation - the trail and North Vietnamese bases in Laos remained secure
What were the key features of the Easter Offensive and Operation Linebacker,1972?
- North Vietnamese launched an big attack (Easter offensive) on the South in March 1972 - successful at first but ARVN with US support eventually pushed them back
- In response, Operation Linebacker was the heavy bombardment of North Vietnam with no restrictions
What were the effect of the Easter Offensive and Operation Linebacker,1972?
- Linebacker severely damaged industry, supplies and communications in the North and China and the USSR urged the North to look for a peace settlement.
- The unrestricted bombing campaign was very
and there were more protests controversial back in the US
