vietnam 4.3: the peace process and end for the war Flashcards
when were the vietnam peace talks
1972-3
when did secret peace talks begin
1969
why did the us begin vietnam peace talks
- us tactics were only building support for north
- tet offensive
- loss of morale for us troops
what was the social cost of the war
- made us ashamed at tactics
- embarrassing losses to less developed country
- poor living conditions got little funding
- veterans treated unkindly and with hostility
what was the political cost of the war
- divided society and government
- lost face abroad
what were the economic costs of the war
lost us $167 billion
what were the military costs of the war
- 58,000 soldiers died
- 850,000 soldiers developed psychological problems
- 300,000 soldiers wounded
who were the negotiators
south: nguyen van thieu (concerned us will abandon s. vietnam)
north: le duc tho (knows us are desperate to withdraw but is pressured by china and ussr)
usa: kissinger (open to peace offers - wants to withdraw)
when was a ceasefire agreed
january 1973
paris peace accords
why did the us agree to peace
- nixon wants before reelection
- congress refused to continue funding war
- very expensive
- met with criticisms for christmas bombings
- no victory in sight
- high casualties
why did north vietnam agree to peace
- us were making concessions
- were continually being bombed
- pressure from ussr and china and threat of loss of aid
- failure of easter offensive to capture big cities
what and when was the easter offensive
march 1972
n. vietnamese invade s. vietnam to get nixon to agree to peace
what and when was the christmas offensive
december 1972
us retaliation - bombing hanoi to put pressure on north - poor international reception
