President Nixon's War Flashcards
What did President Johnson announce in 1968?
Peace talks would begin
He would not stand for re-election
Who was elected as new president in November 1968?
President Nixon - a Republican
What did Nixon promise when he was elected?
Promised peace through a ‘secret plan’ to end the war
What happened during Nixon’s plan of Vietnamisation?
Lots of money was spent to equip the ARVN with the best weapons to fight against the Vietcong
The ARVN was trained to a high standard to carry on fighting against the communists
US soldiers would return home
By the end of 1969, 85,000 of the 540,000 US soldiers had returned home
When was the Vietnamisation plan announced?
3rd November 1969
What happened on 8th February 1971?
ARVN troops attacked North Vietnamese troops in Laos. The attack was supported by US helicopters, bombers and artillery
The attack was a failure and communists gained more support as a result of the US and ARVN tactics
What did Nixon give permission for in March 1969?
For bombing raids on Cambodia
What did Nixon try and do with the bombing raids on Cambodia?
Tried to keep them secret as to avoid protest back in the US
What happened in April 1970?
Nixon ordered the invasion of Cambodia by US troops
He then called for 150,000 more US troops which caused more protest in the US
What was the Khmer Rouge?
A communist organisation in Cambodia who gained more support because of the US tactics
What was clear by early 1972?
Vietnamisation wasn’t working
In June 1972, what did the ARVN do as retaliation to the North Vietnamese attack?
They dropped napalm bombs, once again killing innocent children and civilians
What did Nixon ask the USSR when he met to discuss the reduction of nuclear weapons, in 1970?
He asked the USSR to persuade North Vietnam to end the war
What did Nixon ask when he visited China in February 1972?
He asked China to persuade North Vietnam to end the war
Who was the first US president to visit China?
Nixon
