Changes To US Involvement Under Nixon - US Involvement In The Vietnam War 1954-75 Flashcards
What changes occured under Nixon 1969-73?
Vietnam played a big part in the election for President Nixon and knew that people were angry that Johnson lied about the war. Nixon 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 approaches did Nixon do to the Vietnam war?
- Official peace talks
- Secret peace talks
- Troop withdrawls
- ARVN training
- Secret bombing of Cambodia - to disrupt Ho Chi Minh trail
What happened 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 South East Asian politics in the future.
What did the Nixon Doctrine say?
- The US would honour any treaty commitments it had made
- The US would help any ally against a nuclear threat
- Provide aid and training against non-nuclear threats (but not troops)
What is Vietnamisation?
Vietnamisation - The application of the Nixon Doctrine to Vietnam
How successful was Vietnamisation?
- Shifted the responsibility of fighting to the ARVN
- Withdrawl with ‘honour’
- US Troops withdrawl 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 main effects of Vietnamisation?
- Fewer US troops
- Some felt that it was too soon to withdraw - many in the US military felt that they should send in more troops to defeat the VC after the Tet Offensive
- ARVN were not ready
- South Vietnam felt deserted
- North Vietnamese given a boost - they saw it as weakening the ARVN
How did Nixon expand the conflict?
Nixon ordered the bombing of Cambodia to bomb the Ho Chi Minh Trail to destroy the VC bases
How did Nixon justify the bombing of Cambodia?
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 let the war 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)
