End of Conflict in Vietnam Flashcards
What was the Nixon Doctrine?
US would support allies financially and with equipment, rather than direct military involvement
What was Vietnamisation and did it succeed?
Aimed to gradually withdraw US troops from Vietnam, and strengthen S.V’s military with advisors
Failed because S.V military couldn’t defend against the North
What was public opinion of Vietnamisation?
Popular with those who opposed the war, unpopular with army who wanted to continue military action in Vietnam
When were the Paris Peace Accords?
1973
What convinced North Vietnam to sign the Paris Peace Accords?
The Christmas Bombing campaign (Linebacker II)
Secret talks with Kissinger
What were the consequences of the war for America?
- 50,000 US troops killed
- $170 billion spent
- Failed to prevent domino effect
- End of Truman Doctrine
- Damaged US reputation
- War Powers Act (1973) meant a president needed Congress’s approval to wage wars
What were the consequences of the war for Vietnam?
- 1 million soldiers killed
- Half a million civilians killed
- Land destroyed from bombing (1/5 of forests)
- Former S.V leaders either forced to flee the country or murdered
- Two subsequent wars with Cambodia and China further damaged farming/economy
- Financial aid from US stopped, economy crashed as a result
- Birth defects and cancer from chemicals
- Collectivisation of farms
What were the key terms of the Paris Peace Accords?
- All US troops withdrawn from Vietnam
- US prisoners of war released
- Ceasefire between N.V and S.V
Who was Henry Kissinger and what was his role in the Paris Peace Talks?
US secretary of state
He held secret negotiations with North Vietnamese leaders, and also agreed better relations with China/USSR
What was collectivisation?
Vietnamese farmers (under new communist government) had to merge their farms into collective farm committees controlled by the government
