Changes under Nixon, 1969-73

Question 1

What did the Nixon Doctrine state?

Answer 1

• That the USA would follow through on any support it had promised it’s allies and help them against nuclear attacks
• The US would only only provide financial help and training against threats from countries that did not have nuclear capacity

Question 2

What are the key features of Vietnamization?

Answer 2

• Nixon wanted US troops in o withdraw from Vietnam, while also giving the appearance that the USA hadnt lost the war
• The South Vietnamese army (ARVN) was to take over more of the actual fighting, thus reducing the number of US military deaths
• The US government focus was now to send money and advisors, not soldiers
• The US governments aim was to ensure that South Vietnam remained an independent non-communist country

Question 3

What was the publics opinion of Vietnamization?

Answer 3

• Some supported the aims of the war and wanted to continue with active involvement
• Others wanted American withdrawal as soon as possible

Question 4

How did Vietnamization fail?

Answer 4

Because US training and equipment was not enough to ensure the ARVN was ready to take over the fighting- the ARVN suffered from corruption and desertion

Question 5

What happened when US soldiers knew they’d be leaving?

Answer 5

Their desire to fight got severely reduced, many tried to avoid battle and some killed their officers to prevent them leading them into situations that would risk their life- drug use also became more prominent among US soldiers

Question 6

Describe the 1970 US attack on Cambodia

Answer 6

Nixon sent US troops to Cambodia to stop the North Vietnamese from helping Cambodias communists to power in there. The congress was outraged and cancelled the Gulf of Tonkin resolution

Question 7

Describe the 1971 US attack on Laos

Answer 7

The USA gave air support for a South Vietnamese invasion of Laos, to stop the spread of communism there. The South Vietnamese did not fight well, increasing doubts of their ability to hold back communism

Question 8

When did the US’ bombing of North Vietnam take place?

Answer 8

April 1972

Question 9

What happened in the 1972 Bombing of North Vietnam?

Answer 9

• Mines were dropped into the Haiphong harbour to stop the supplies from China and the USSR coming by sea
• Radio and communications were destroyed
• The North Vietnamese war industry was severely damaged

Question 10

What did the Bombing of North Vietnam lead to?

Answer 10

Calls from the USSR and China for North Vietnam to sign a peace deal