Confrontation and Cooperation, c1963–1972: Nixon's Policies in Vietnam - Vietnamisation

Question 1

Timeline of Vietnamisation

Answer 1

• January 1969
- Nixon becomes president

• June 1969

• Nixon begins withdrawing troops
• Around 550,000 US troops in Vietnam

• 1968-1970
ARVN increased in size from 82,000 in 1968 to 1 million by 1970

• 1972
- Spring Offensive

• January 1972
- Around 150,000 US troops in Vietnam

• May-October 1972
- Operation Linebacker I saw 150,000 tons of bombs dropped on Vietnam

• June 1972
- 47,000 US troops in Vietnam

Question 2

When did Nixon become President?

Answer 2

• January 1969

Question 3

Define Vietnamisation

Answer 3

• Shifting US dominance in the Vietnam War to the South Vietnamese by withdrawing US troops

Question 4

Why did Nixon adopt Vietnamisation?

Answer 4

• To reduce growing domestic opposition to strengthen his own political security
• To encourage North Vietnam to negotiate as one of the North’s aims was to secure US withdrawal
• To strengthen the South Vietnamese
• To minimise blame on the US if the South Vietnamese were to lose

Question 5

What did Vietnamisation involve?

Answer 5

• Withdrawing US troops
• Strengthening ARVN
• Reintroduction of bombing
• Invasion of Cambodia and Laos

Question 6

When did Nixon begin to withdraw US troops?

Answer 6

• June 1969

Question 7

Describe the withdrawal of US troops in Vietnam

Answer 7

• June 1969
- Around 550,000

• January 1972
- Around 150,000

• June 1972
- 47,000

Question 8

How did Nixon strengthen the ARVN?

Answer 8

• ARVN increased in size from 82,000 in 1968 to 1 million by 1970
• Introduced M-16 Armalite rifle
• Increase in weapons, planes and helicopters
• Troops paid more

Question 9

What event tested the ARVN’s strength? How did the ARVN do?

Answer 9

• Spring Offensive
• 1972
• ARVN resisted
• 8000 ARVN killed; North suffered x5 deaths

Question 10

What US bombing campaign aided the ARVN?

Answer 10

• Operation Linebacker I
• May-October 1972
• 150,000 tons of bombs dropped on North Vietnam and North Vietnamese troops operating in South

Question 11

What were the issues with Vietnamisation?

Answer 11

• Morale of ARVN remained low
• Low US casualties replaced by high ARVN casualties
• High desertion rates
• ARVN still dependent on US
• Corruption remained and positions gained based on loyalty to Thieu, rather than on their skill