De-escalation of US Involvement in Vietnam Flashcards
When did Nixon give permission for the bombing of Cambodia?
March 1969
What did Nixon decide to destroy before the majority of US troops left?
As many Vietcong bases as possible
Where were many of the Vietcong bases located?
Just inside the borders of neighbouring Cambodia
What was the operation to invade Cambodia called?
Operation Menu
What happened as a consequence of Operation Menu?
Bombing failed to destroy VC bases
Pushed Hanoi further away from negotiation tables (both secret and official ones in Paris) until US withdrew
What did Nixon order as a result of the failed Operation Menu?
Invasion of Cambodia by ground troops
How many US soldiers did Nixon announce were needed in Vietnam? What did this provoke?
150,000 more
A wave of demonstrations across the USA eg Kent State
Where were the Vietcong being supplied from via the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
North Vietnam, running through Cambodia and Laos
When did Nixon commit ground troops to Cambodia?
April 1970
Why was the invasion of Cambodia with ground troops successful?
Bases and supplies destroyed
Chance of a Northern attack on the South reduced
What talks did Nixon begin in 1970 with USSR to limit nuclear weapons?
Strategic Arms Limitations Talks
Why did Khmer Rouge membership grow rapidly between 1970 and 1971?
Local population in Cambodia was unhappy about poorly disciplined US troops
Up until 1970 Khmer Rouge had very little support form the peasants but they were able to appeal to peasants and claim that Cambodia was going to be taken over by USA
When did the AVRN begin to attack North Vietnamese troops in Laos?
February 8th 1971
By early 1971, what did Nixon’s Vietnamisation programme mean?
A large section of the AVRN was trained and equipped
What was Nixon determined to disable in Laos?
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Why couldn’t Nixon commit any more ground troops to Laos? What did he have to use instead?
The public and the Senate has turned against sending further troops being used
Had to use AVRN soldiers with US air support- helicopters, bombs and artillery
What Operation did Nixon launch in Laos?
Operation Lam Son 719
When was Operation Lam Son 719 activated?
February 1971
How many AVRN troops were sent into Laos?
30,000
What showed Vietnamisation was failing?
AVRN troops sent to Laos were soon beaten by superior North Vietnamese troops
Highlighted US’ weakness in leadership
What did Operation Lam Son 719 increase support for?
The communists in Laos known as Pathetic Lao
Who controlled most of Laos by 1973?
Pathet Lao
Following what events had the relationship between the USA and USSR been improving?
Berlin Wall
Cuban Missile Crisis
When did Kissinger visit Beijing?
July 1971
What word was being used when constructive discussions were taking place between the superpowers?
Détente- easing of hostility or strained relations
Why did the Chinese and Soviets have a worsening relationship?
Disagreed over how to correctly run a Communist country
Shots fired across the border
What was the purpose of Operation Menu?
Destroy Vietcong bases there
Sever supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Give the AVRN more confidence
Force North Vietnam to negotiate peace
When was Nixon invited to China? Why was it significant and what did he ask?
February 1972, he was the first US president to visit the communist state of China
Asked the Chinese to pressurise the North Vietnamese to end the war
What was the Operation of North Vietnam called?
Operation Linebacker
What did the USA want to take advantage of?
China and USSR’s worsening relationship
Why did Nixon order the bombing of North Vietnam in April 1972?
In March 1972 the NVA and VC invaded the South expecting to win easily as most US troops were gone
Nixon needed to maintain the image of US strength
What did Operation Linebacker destroy?
North Vietnamese roads, tank, railway lines and storage depots
The Port of Haiphong
What did Nixon use for precise bombing during Linebacker?
Smart bombs guided by lasers
What did Nixon hope to stop through Linebacker?
Invasion of the south by cutting of supplies to the North
What was Operation Linebacker greeted by in the US and around the world?
Huge protests
What were the NVA and VC led by when they invaded in March 1972?
100 Soviet tanks
What did Nixon want to achieve through showing US power and resolve?
Peace
Where was the USA trying to improve relations?
Communist China and Mao Zedong
USSR
Who were the troops fighting against in Cambodia?
Communist Khmer Rouge movement under Pol Pot
Why did Nixon visits USSR in May 1972?
To ask Moscow to our pressure on the North Vietnamese to end the Vietnam War
When did Nixon visit USSR?
May 1972
