USA and Southeast Asia

Question 1

Continuation of Paris Peace talks

Answer 1

• After Tet offensive Nixon wanted to remove troops
• Kissinger wanted to bring NV to table so used Sino-Soviet split to US advantage
• But not willing to use influence over NV
  -Kissinger continued secret diplomacy into 1972 visited USSR to gain its support but not going to encourage North Vietnam to compromise

Question 2

Paris Peace Agreement 1973

Answer 2

• Talks began July 1972 and there were representatives from NLF
• October 31 Kissinger announced peace is at hand
• Thieu appalled at agreement
• December 1972 Nixon ordered bombing of Hanoi and more northern cities
• Nixon’s approval fell to 32%

Question 3

What was Agreed at Paris

Answer 3

• Ceasefire would begin in January 1973
• Each sides forces would keep areas occupied at time of ceasefire
• Within 60 days US would withdrawal its forces and POWs exchanged
• Free elections allowed and potential reunification of Vietnam

Question 4

Northern Victory

Answer 4

• 27 January 1973 USA had to force Thieu to sign
• US forces out by end of March 1973 most of the rest had left by summer of 1973
• After US withdrawal NV increased their attacks ARVN unable to keep up
• USA promised 1 billion in aid
• 1973 the Watergate scandal had been revealed
• NV continued and increased attacks
• US startled at NV success and 21 April 1974 Thieu resigned and fled
• 30 April 1975 South Vietnam surrendered

Question 5

Problems in Cambodia

Answer 5

• US unwilling to provide troops but dropped 430,000 tonnes on Cambodia
• 7.5 million population army of 175,000 but no match to Khmer Rogue
• US sent 199 advisers into Phnom Penh 1971
• April 1975 US forces evacuated and Khmer Rogue had Phnom Penh
• 1 million people killed during the revolutions 700,000 Cambodians
• 25 December 1978 Vietnam invaded Cambodia and Heng Samrin installed and political stabilisation

Question 6

US Cost of the Vietnam War

Answer 6

• 58,000 Americans died
• 2.7 million Americans served 9% of population
• Issue of draft dodgers as 100,000 men left America to avoid conscription
• Costed $170 billion
• Ultimately the domino’s fell in SE Asia and communism took over and SEATO disbanded in 1976

Question 7

Vietnamese cost of Vietnam War

Answer 7

• 1.3 to 9 million people killed
• 1.1 million Vietcong and NVA
• 200,000 people from the ARVN
• Ford imposed a trade embargo upon Vietnam until 1994
• US dropped 650,000 tonnes of bombs on NV
• Dropped 700,000 tonnes of bombs on SV
• Agent Orange and Napalm poisoned 6 million acres
• 85% of population had to resettle
• Collectivisation introduced
  -1.5 million people left the country