End+of+the+Vietnam+War


 * **NIXON AND VIETNAM**


 * Nixon's Vietnam policy - Vietnamization - the policy for winding down the war**
 * troops were withdrawn, training and equipment was given to South Vietnamese, by 1972, only 24,200 troops remained
 * However, bombing raids increased, hurting the supply lines of North Vietnam - the bombing expanded to other countries - Laos and Cambodia
 * U.S. ground forces invaded Cambodia in spring 1970 – this led to more opposition
 * May 4, 1970 - Kent State University


 * Peace talks -1972 - between Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho**

In July, word leaked that Henry Kissinger had been meeting privately in Paris with the North Vietnamese Foreign Secretary
 * in October, only days before the election, Kissinger announced that " Peace is at Hand "
 * several weeks later, after the election, talks broke down again
 * January 27, 1973 - agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in VietnamU.S. troops leave Vietnam POW's released, cease-fire between the North and South || [[image:turningpoints:nixonvietnam.jpg align="center" caption="nixonvietnam.jpg"]] ||

Communist North Vietnam attack and take over Saigon, as well as Democratic South Vietnam 1975  Vietnam is reunited under communism Saigon is now Ho Chi Minh City ||
 * [[image:turningpoints:usnp003.jpg caption="usnp003.jpg"]] || = THE FALL OF SAIGON  =


 * The Legacy of Vietnam**


 * In Southeast Asia:**
 * 1.5 million Vietnamese deaths
 * countless Vietnamese civilians wounded, homeless
 * Agrarian society in shambles
 * Southeast Asia left highly unstable
 * Cambodia fell to communism after terror


 * In America: America Copes**
 * 58,000 Americans killed
 * 365,000 wounded
 * $150 billion in direct costs
 * U.S. attempts to come to grips with a "loss" - blow to self-esteem
 * Changes in U.S. Policy


 * Several major U.S. changes as a result of the conflict**
 * government abolished the draft, which had stirred up so much of the antiwar sentiment
 * War Powers Act - curb the power of the President for making war - US forces are sent into a hostile area without a declaration of war - the troops may only stay there 90 days unless Congress approves of the action and/or declares war
 * altered American foreign policy - risks are considered, because no one wants another Vietnam
 * overall cynicism in Americans about their government and their political leaders -

The **Disillusionment** of those who served
 * Veterans **extended a cold hand**
 * **some veterans suffered from** stress
 * many citizens embittered toward government
 * entire generation of Americans was affected


 * [[image:turningpoints:Picture1.jpg caption="Picture1.jpg"]] || **WHAT IS THE LEGACY OF VIETNAM?**

**The U.S.** **did not want another Vietnam** **War** **People say that Afghanistan is Obama's** **Vietnam** ||