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

1
Q

Timeline of Vietnamisation

A

• 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

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2
Q

When did Nixon become President?

A
  • January 1969
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3
Q

Define Vietnamisation

A
  • Shifting US dominance in the Vietnam War to the South Vietnamese by withdrawing US troops
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4
Q

What was Nixon’s goal in Vietnam

A

To achieve peace with honour

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5
Q

Why did Nixon adopt Vietnamisation?

A
  • 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
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6
Q

What did Vietnamisation involve?

A
  • Withdrawing US troops
  • Strengthening ARVN
  • Reintroduction of bombing
  • Invasion of Cambodia and Laos
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7
Q

When did Nixon begin to withdraw US troops?

A
  • June 1969
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8
Q

Describe the withdrawal of US troops in Vietnam

A

• June 1969
- Around 550,000

• January 1972
- Around 150,000

• June 1972
- 47,000

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9
Q

How did Nixon strengthen the ARVN?

A
  • 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
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10
Q

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

A
  • Spring Offensive
  • 1972
  • ARVN resisted
  • 8000 ARVN killed but North suffered x5 deaths
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11
Q

What US bombing campaign aided the ARVN in the Spring offensive?

A
  • Operation Linebacker I
  • 150,000 tons of bombs dropped on North Vietnam and North Vietnamese troops operating in South
    -So ARVN success wasn’t only because of their capability
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12
Q

When was operation Linebacker

A

-May-October 1972

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13
Q

What were the issues with Vietnamisation?

A
  • 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
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14
Q

Consequence of Vietnamisation

A

End of war, North run through South after US leave

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