Vietnam notes 2

Vietnam and
South East
Asia
Click to advance each slide

I.Vietnam and South East Asia
A.“South East Asia” covers a highly
varied set of cultures and is used to
explain, in broad terms, political,
social, and economic benchmarks.
1.S.E.A. - term covering varied
cultures, and is really a geographic
expression
2.S.E.A. - each nation changed greatly
after breaking colonial ties
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B. Geography for size and scale
1. Laos the size of Great Britian
2. Thailand the size of France
3. Cambodia the size of Spain
C. French Indochina includes
Laos,Cambodia, and Vietnam
1. Vietnam roughly 1,000 miles in
length; long, narrow strip of land
exposed to S. China Sea.
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2. When split at 17 parallel, N.
Vietnam is 62,000 square miles,
roughly the size of Washington
State.
3. S. Vietnam is 67,000 square miles
and divided into 43 provinces.
D. Rivers and topography from North to
South
1. Northern Highlands mostly
mountains and jungle forest,
sparsely populated. Red River Delta
originates in China, flows through
Hanoi and into the sea. Most of N.V
population is located here.
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2. Central Highlands jungle mountains,
thinly populated except by Montangnards
(original inhabitants). 30 different
Montangnard groups; 1.5 million
3. Costal Lowlands very narrow along
whole of sea along the costal plains.
From 30 to 100 miles wide; area of much
commerce, fishing, sea ports, and
agriculture.
4. Costal plain, flat lowlands, poor
agriculturally; fishing is the second
most important area for commerce.
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5. Mekong Delta, Mekong River also
starts in China, flows through Laos
and Cambodia to South China Sea.
Very shallow for sea shipping, only
good for local and inland travel.
Rich in sediment, large agricultural
area, warmest climate in Vietnam.
“Rice Bowl” produces 5 million
tons of rice a year; can produce up
to three crops.
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E. Geographic isolation in Indochina
1. Variations within regions and at
times from village to village leaves
S.E.A. to traditional village life
2.People in villages tied to the
land
3. Mid 1960s rule intermittent some
places completely inaccessible
except by air via helicopter.
4. Thus people were loyal to
village, clan, or tribe, rather than
the nation 6
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II. Population
A. Cities biggest concentration of people.
1. Saigon biggest and most modern city in
S. Vietnam; most modern facilities.
a. Post-war Saigon known as Ho Chi Mihn
city.
b. largest trading city in South; named
by France and S. Vietnamese.
7

2. Numbers
a. N. Vietnam 20 million people
b. S. Vietnam 22 million people
B. Heaviest concentrations in Deltas,
lowlands, and cities; mixture of Mongol,
Chinese, and foreigners.
C. Northern population 200,000 true
Chinese; Vietnamese strong Chinese
cultural ties.
8

1. 2.5 million people Montangnards
2. 2 million people some nationality
other than Vietnamese
D. Southern population 1.7 million
cultural Chinese, mainly businessmen,
industrialists, people of other
influence in Vietnamese society
9

1. 700, 000 Montangnards
2. 600, 000 Cambodians
3. 500, 000 Khemers
4. 2 million foreigners “European”
5. majority of people live in
countryside 5 subgroups
10

E. Cities and religion
1. Hanoi capital of North (pop 750,
000)
2. Saigon capital of South (pop a
million - French occupation; modern
European architecture)
3. Da Nang third largest of N & S -
where Americans are first stationed
(pop 500, 000)
11

4. Haiphong fourth largest in Vietnam
5. Hue old capital city of Vietnam -
center of religion - on N & S border.
In center of rich farmland, two
universities, Buddhist, Catholic.
F. Population is a mix of Montangnard,
Mongol, and Chinese.
12

G. Religion
1. 75% Buddist
2. 15% Roman Catholics. Anti-Communists
followed the French and converted to stay
in power.
3. 9% Taoists, Confucionists - from China
4. 1% Montangnards - pagonists
13

III. Prehistory and Political Ties
A. Vietnam has direct ties to China:
cultural, religious, and societal.
1. AD 939 Chinese defeated. Vietnam
becomes independent.
2. During next 900 years the Nam-tien
occurs in which a southern movement
happens.
14

B. 1069 to ~1800 nation known as Dai
Viet (Greater Viet)
1. 1427 a brief 20-year reoccupation
by China is expelled
a. 16th century Vietnam named
b. Time of Settlement by non-Chinese
2. 1527 200 yr period of strife: Mac
Dang Dung controls north Nguyen, not
reunified until 1800s.
15

3. 1535 Portuguese Capt. Faria first to
enter Da Nang bay; French and English
also find Viets unwilling to trade.
C. 1627 French missionary Alexander de
Rhodes adopts Vietnamese language to Roman
alphabet; work now dominates French
missionaries
1. 1802 French missionaries help unite N/
S Vietnam, under Nguyen, but V. regards
Christians as subversive.
2. 1857 unable to establish good trade,
French attack Da Nang and succeed.
16

3. 1883 French divide Vietnam into
protectorates to rule effectively.
4. 1887 France forms Indochinese
union with Cambodia, Laos, and
Vietnam as protectorate.
D. Twentieth Century
1. 1919 Versailles Peace Conference
Nguyan Ai Quoc tries to meet with
Pres. Wilson with an eight-point
program for independence (dismissed)
17

2. Emperor Bao Dai ascends throne as
puppet government of French. Nguyen
Ai Quoc founds first communist
organization in Indochina.
3. 1940 Vietnam taken over by Japan,
creating a virtual Japanese colony
for rice, rubber, and farming.
4. 1941 Vietminh organize guerilla
units to attack Japanese forces.
a. Ho Chi Minh, formerly Nguyen
AiQuoc, works with US OSS to fight
Japan.
18

b. 1945 Ho Chi Minh regards US as a
friend; repeatedly asks for help
5. China's influence continues Mao Tse
Tung controls China 1949; influence
spreads south to Vietnam
6. US in quandary:didn't want to support
French colonies nor communism.
E. 1945-54 Vietnamese seek independence
19

IV. The First War of Independence 1950-54
A.It was in Indochina that Japan opened
the door for change to colonization in
S.E.A.
1. French were the first to make
concessions
2. Post-WWII England, France, and
Holland would meet new demands from
their colonies
20

B. The war had spawned new leaders and
political organizations; considered
honorable nationalists by indigenous
people
1. American agents involved in trying to
contact Ho Chi Minh to get involved in
using Vietnamese forces to evict the
Japanese.
2. Archimedes Patti head of OSS secret
mission to train Vietnamese and spy on
Japanese movements
3. US close to Ho and his allies
21

C. The war also allowed people in various
nations to emit nationalist ideas
1. no longer under colonial control
2. Japan sometimes encouraged
nationalist ideology
3. modern weaponry before inaccessible
was now in the hands of revolutionaries
4. due to weak weapon counting, Asians
now had weapons provided by both sides
22

D. Vietnam. US and Soviet Union begin to
view Asia as an important area for
development “alliances”
1. France wanted to re-impose colonial
rule in Indochina
2. France sought United Nations as well
as American help to stop the insurgency
of communists and US, under the Truman
Doctrine, will help
23

E. 1945-1954 France focuses on regaining
territory
1. End WWII 46-47 France returns to
colonies
2. China occupies the N and allows
pro-communist ideas
a. Ho Chi Minh gathers followers and
nationalism
b. France finally gains control of
Vietnam in‘47.
24

3. Now Japan and China gone, France
finds Ho's fledgling government
prepared to fight
F. 1950-54 US and France a vested
interest
1. France desperately wants to regain
colonies to help rebuild economy
2. Vietminh under the Ho nationalists;
want independence and Vietnam
25

3. US influences France to be a buffer and
stop communists Vietminh assisted by China
a. US afraid of France losing pay 75% of
the bill
b. Pres. Truman using T. Doctrine to aid
N & S distinction
1) US building anti-communist army
since 1946
2)1951 aid previously went through
Paris, now directly to Saigon
26

4. 1950-53 Korean War show communists
trying to take over Asia
5. American interest in Indochina
increases each year
6. Ho Chi Minh forces continually
winning in Vietnam. US does NOT want to
help colonialism but must stop communism
G. Dien Ben Phu French garrison. 50,000
Vietminh attack 15,000 French Foreign
Legionaries 200 miles behind enemy lines
in order to speed French victory
27

1. Vietnam shell the airstrip and surround Dien
Ben Phu; French are doomed
2. After 10 days Sec Dulles proposes nuclear
strike as shock of forts demise reaches D.C.
3. For the first time “Ike” states this theory
for trying to save Indochina (Domino theory) Aid
must be sent
4. Fort's fall is eminent on 7 May 1954
humiliating defeat 35,000 men wounded 48,000
killed; siege lasted 55 days. Peace talks - Geneva
accords 1954 in communist favor.
28

H. Geneva accords ending the war. France
opposed to the partition, but it might save
half of the country.
1. Compromise: Vietminh leave Cambodia,
Laos, and given control of N. Vietnam.
2. France must leave N & S Vietnam, divided
at 17th parallel with impending
reunification in two years with nation-wide
elections
29

3. For 300 days people can move N or S
freely. 1 million 90% move S mostly
Catholics fearing persecution, only
100,000 move N
4. To police actions. India, Canada,
and Poland supervise US highly opposed
to elections in two years.
Anticommunists in S protest most.
30

V. America & S Vietnam 1954-1960
A. After Geneva, France withdraws. America
begins cooperating with President Diem.
1. Elections are to take place in 2 years
but never happen
2. With NGO Dinh Diem in power, Republic
of Vietnam in S against the Democratic
Republic of N Vietnam
a. America helps disrupt the elections
to keep Diem in power
31

b. elections don't occur; Great
Britain, China, and even France upset
they fail to happen
B. 1954-63 America helps Diem pull S
Vietnam back together
C. During 1950s America aids S Vietnam to
try and prevent communism from spreading
1. Eisenhower's Domino Theory of one
nation falls others will follow
2. By 1955 France completely leaves S
Vietnam
32

D. Oct 26, 1955 Diem in complete control as
first President proclaims Republic of S Vietnam
and immediately recognized by France, Great
Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Japan,
Thailand, S Korea, and US
E. SEATO is formed to encompass nations
including protocols of SV, Cambodia, & Laos
Dec. 1955
1. Cambodia renounced SEATO seeking
neutrality
2. MAAG assumes control of all military in SV
33

F. May 1956 Geneva accords are officially
refused. Diem declares S Vietnam open to
free elections
G. Diem visits US in May 1957 and Ike calls
him the‘Miracle Man’of Asia
H. Major Dale R. Buis 8 July 1959 the first
official US soldier to die in Vietnam
34

VI A new president, a new year, a new war
A. JFK committed to containing communism
1. JFK will not let communism win
2. JFK pledges millions plus advisers
B. Hanoi decides political struggle is
useless and armed resistance/insurgence
is necessary
35

1. Jan 1960 NLF fighters encourage
uprisings in S Vietnam
2. US insists Diem win over his people,
oppression only plays to the communists
C. Nov 8 1960 JFK elected president
1. Dec 1960 Eisenhower/JFK decide alternate
leadership may be needed in S Vietnam
2. USSR Kruschev announces will back any
nation in revolt, influencing JFK's
strategy of counter insurgency in S V.
36

D. JFK continues to bolster US forces,
assistance, special forces, and $, declaring
any possible way to help will be viewed
E. Returning from SEA tour, LBJ informs JFK
of impending Domino Theory and w/o help they
will fall. June 1961 ARVN 100,000 men
F. 1961 December Diem announces a formal
state of emergency due to increased Viet
Cong and NLF activity
G. US forces Dec 1961 #3200 US is spending
$136 in economic aid and $65 million in
military aid and equipment
37

H. May 1962 Sec of Defense McNamara visits
Vietnam and concludes US forces now totaling
4,000 and are winning
I. April 1963 US extremely concerned the
fragile nation will be toppled. Laos says
opening talks w/Moscow all US aid stops
J. April-May 1963 US forces openly fight
with S Vietnam troops, V C forces gaining in
size. Anti-Diem feeling continue. Diem's
gov't announces the Chieu-Hoi program to the
V C defect and be loyal to S Vietnam. US
forces # about 11,000
38

VIII. Diem's Downfall
A. May 8 1963 Budda's birthday. 20,000
Buddists celebrate and are fired upon when
Diem enforces the old French laws
1. JFK knows Vietnam is a mess
2. Nine people die 20 wounded Diem blames VC
a. Buddists demand responsible punished
b. Buddists 70% of pop Catholics 10% but
hold major positions
39

3. By Oct 1963, a coup to remove Diem is
evident and the US will not intervene
a. JFK approves and US will not be
involved
b. Nov 2 1963 Diem is assassinated Gen.
Dvong Van Minh is now in charge
4. Nov 22 1963 JFK assassinated
B. 24 Nov 1963 LBJ pledges continued US
support in Vietnam
40

C. LBJ's plans thought he should keep JFK's
people, compelled to for JFK (mistake)
1. LBJ's Great Society his plan for US
2. LBJ felt that if he lost Vietnam, what
was next? The presidency for sure in
1964.
D. 1963 Def Sec McNamara sent to Vietnam for
report stated three things to do:
1. Drop it! and just withdraw from
Vietnam
41

a. Johnson said can't do it, it will look
like JFK lied against his plans
b. If withdraw, S Vietnam would fall to
communists being an election year,
Republicans win. Last Domino not Vietnam
but LBJ presidency
2. Continue on same policies
a. will not help win war quickly
b. get back to Great Society
c. not winning or losing: treading water
42

3. Sharp increase in manpower & equipment
get the war over whip communists quickly;
been there since 1954
a. increase $ and try to win 2-3 years
instead of 10
b. LBJ does not want to look like war
monger wait until November election
E. Johnson's advisers telling him to look
out!
43

1. Paul Kattenburg assistant sec to Pres
advised it would take 50,000+ soldiers
fighting 5-10 years to win- maybe.
2. Three others agree: George Ball, Wayne
Morse Oregon, Ernst Gruening Alaska
F. Election year LBJ in bind how to handle
S V need to fight
1.Rep talking tough Barry Goldwater
candidate
2. LBJ needs an excuse to go to war
44

VIII. Tonkin 64
A. Night Aug 1964 three N Vietnamese boats
attacked 1 of 2 US Naval vessels.
Allegedly in International waters the
boats attacked the USS Maddox which fires
a torpedo sinking one aggressor.
1. The Maddox was apparently patrolling
the coastline and attacked
2. Aug 4 1964 communists 2nd attack on
the USS Turner Joy - no vessels damaged
45

B. Aug 7 1964 LBJ's excuse to go to war
1. Congress passes Gulf of Tonkin
Resolution for America to do as will
2. gives Johnson complete power
C. Almost declaration of war. 435
Congressmen 100 Senators 535 voted 533 yes 2
no (Morris and Gruening)
D. at beginning only aerial combat not
wanting to expand war too much election year
46

E. Nov 1 1964 VC attack US air bases
1. LBJ asks for peace not wanting US there
election campaign after Nov 3.
2. LBJ wins election. LBJ 43 mil pop vote
486 electoral vote; Goldwater 27 mil pop
vote 52 electoral vote
3. with win LBJ feels people with him -
green light for SV policy.
4. Ending 1964 not better Dec 24 VC bomb US
hotels in SV. Chinese aircraft flown into
NV - Chinese entering the war?
47

F. 1965 LBJ plans to change tactics US goes
to war
1. Advisers say 40% of country under VC
seem to be growing
2. Beginning 65 20,000 US troops there
a. now Chinese migs in NV
b. 3,000+ soldiers down Ho Chi Minh trail
overwhelm South
48

G. Feb, March 65 aircraft, soldiers,
equipment to conduct operations
1. Spring 65 combined Army/Marines 72,000
to stop VC
2. end 1965 190,000
3. 1369 Americans die/3308 wounded/4677
casualties
4. Americans concerned as to foreign
involvement - don't want big war
49

H. By May 1965 LBJ has asked for $700 mil in
appropriations
1. June LBJ's asks for $750 mil +
40,000-100,000 more men
2. Aug A request 235,000 more men + $1
billion 750,000
I. First US protests summer/fall - several
protests take place. Many pacifists call
for peace at any cost. Beginning to
demonstrate peacefully. Quakers etc.
50

1. Leftist start also w/anti-war banners.
socialists
2. Many religious groups ex: SCLC led by Dr.
King, say war is immoral
J. LBJ asking for peace by end of 1965.
States US winning the war.
1. In a Feb conference between LBJ, CAO KY
and Thieu trying for democracy in SV
2. Discuss communist strategy of waiting.
Knew US didn't want to spend so much time to
fix & move on
51

3. US thought Hanoi puppets of China, USSR
- really weren't
a. two things driving communists:
1) nationalism, merge Vietnam
2) Marxism, wanted communism and one
Vietnam
b. only possible through strict
discipline, unity, and time on their side
c. nothing mattered as long as win war
52

IX. Communist forces
A. Ho Chi Minh leader and proclaimed
independence in 1954
B. Always on the offensive, trying to cause
change or trouble for SV forces
C. NV single goal one Vietnam
D. Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos, Cambodia, and
ends in different places throughout SV. VC
main supply line
53

E. Vo Minh Giap is the military leader of
North Vietnam; Ha Van Lau UN diplomat; Le Duan
leading organizer in the S; Pham Van Dung 2nd
in power
F. Marxism/communism/Vietnam
1. leadership, unity, time on their side -
victory at any cost
2. communists usually on offensive - pushing
back
54

X. A new perspective. End of 1966 US
casualties 30,093, deaths 5008; Allied forces
reach 1,138,000 men
A. End of 66 beginning of 67 Tet Truce
B. SV armed forces are now at 750,000
C. US air war operation Rolling Thunder is
now in full swing
1. 148,000 bombs tonnage dropped
2. war refugees have swelled Saigon's pop
from 1.5 mil to 3.4 mil
55

D. 1967 VC call for truce to last to Feb 1967
E. US winning war ARVN and US forces working
together to end communism
F. Bombing from Rolling Thunder pauses on and
off to encourage peace
1. war was beginning to look good for the
US. Communists saying same thing.
2. US happy w/situation. Communists same
thing; lost control if over 1 mil people in
the countryside
56

G. US increase troop numbers on battlefield in
hopes of finishing communists
H. Throughout the spring and summer of 1967
calls for curtailing the war are brought to
light many ideas on how to end the war are
reviewed
I. Congress conducts investigations for the air
war and infantry operations in SEA
1. the NV intensify and announce they meet the
US in every action
2. US thus increases its bombing & infantry
operations to prod the NV at the peace table
57

XI. Pres Thieu and KY elected as Pres and VP in
polpular nationwide elections
A. US forces continually fight VC insurgents
B. NV forces intensify attacks along border
C. US protests increase as confrontations
between demonstrators and police forces occur
D. the war is in full swing Dec 31 1967 US
appears to be winning wholeheartedly
E. US relations w/Vietnam are marginal since
the Honolulu conference in 1966. War is
58

F. As conflict continues casualties & death
continue to mount for US and SV
XII. 1968 Renewed Strength from Hanoi
A. Tet 1968 Chinese New Year
1. well-planned communist major offensive to
regain control
a. battle plan was a total military loss
not one major battlefield victory for N
b. politically and propaganda VC total
victory psychologically
59

2. Tet was covered by US TV people at home saw crises,
becoming disillusioned, at the scene
a. Tet allows communist to regain initiative
b. after Tet VC regain foot hold in S. US at home
want out of the war
3. Khe Sahn marines MTN fort in northern part of SV
under communist attack
a. fort est. to moniter NV, Laos border, Ho Chi Minh
trail
b. fort attacked for 77 days 20,000 NVA vs 6,000 US
60

1) US controls the air 3 B-52 bombers every
30 minutes
2) 400 tactical air strikes each day 18,000
tons of ordinance dropped a day 77 days = 5
1/2 Hiroshimas
4. Tet was planned to take everyone by
surprise
a. soldiers on leave to be home
b. businesses close down for holiday 1 week
61

5. Tet 1968 election year communists use to try
and embarrass LBJ & SV gov't. Every possible
place was attacked.
a. places of importance: US Embassy,
military posts, Vietnamese police, air ports,
US airfields, cities of Hue, Pleiku, Da Nang
b. state of total chaos
6. US spring primaries Jan, Feb, March
a. after Tet LBJ's popularity 40%
62

b. polls opposed to the war in Vietnam:
year totally opposed
65 25%
66 35%
67 45%
68 55%
63

B. Johnson's decision
1. LBJ knows his standing is not good
politically
2. two-day meeting to seek recommendations
March 25-6 to seek answers stay in election
or quit
C. war cannot be won
1. LBJ goes on TV 3/31/68 talks of peace
2. SV needs more responsibility
64

3. US bombings above 18th parallel halted no
more maybe communists will talk
4. finally LBJ announces he will not run for
office or accept nomination
D. LBJ's plan to withdraw from war
1. new Sec Def Clark Clifford convinces Pres
to get out of war in Vietnam
a. media a BIG problem - no stopping press
b. NV & VC infiltrators everywhere in SV
65

2. LBJ gives speech
a. April 3 communists willing to talk
b. Paris Peace Talks led by De Gaule May 5
3. LBJ want out as a draw no loss no win
leave SV intact no bombing increase ARVN
forces
4. almost all of talks run by communists
E. Last months and days LBJ in office
delegating withdraw & end of presidency
66

XI. Nixon wins 1968 election
A. Nixon takes office Jan 1969; Republicans finally
get a chance in Vietnam
1. Nixon not a Dove knows country wants war to end
2. Nixon talking peace but does not want to admit
defeat
B. war must wind down slowly military give back to
ARVN
C. when Nixon takes over, 590,000 troops in Vietnam
67

1. Nixon talking to tone down whole war
2. by end of 1969 475,000 in Vietnam 115,000
US have come home
3. US will train the ARVN forces and give all
supplies
D. with US becoming more Dovish, Nixon follows
through w/peace plan
1. problems SV dragging feet, doesn't want to
fight alone
2. peace talks slow communist demands
difficult to meet
68

a. Pres Thieu resignation
b. US complete withdraw no more aid to SV
E. My Lai incident (revealed) village in
northern SV
1. first time whole group of men in combat,
figured people in village attacking them
2.rounded up people and killed majority left
them in a ditch
a. occurred in May 1968, press revealed in
March 1969
69

b. war now seen as immoral
3. investigation Generals press charges on
few soldiers and commanding officer William
Calley
a.Calley sentenced to 10 years to life in
prison
b. released in 3.5 years with a dishonorable
discharge
F. After My Lai US sees war as immoral disgrace
70

1. Army suffered a severe dishonor due to
violence, seen as killing women and
children not the enemy
2. Nixon, who was withdrawing troops, has
war break its borders and now involve
Cambodia angering US public
XII. Vietnamization
A. US military under Nixon's command shift
emphasis from battlefield to technical
training to give war back to SV
71

1. Oct 1969 Nixon assures Premier Souvanna Phouma
of Laos the US will insist on withdrawl of NV
from Laos, Cambodia as part of the settlement
2. Joint Chiefs say Vietnamization will work
going well but assistance needs to continue
B. Nixon and military work only through time
1. next year US forces continually turn over
forts or equipment to SV
2. US continues to fight as withdrawal continues.
Fighting at its highest level on borders of
Cambodia and Laos to prevent infiltration of NVA,
VC
72

C. SV forces increase to ~850,000 NV forces
reach ~240,000 main force
D. Dec 16 US B-52s bombing in south to support
ground troops
E. Jan 1970 news conference Pres Nixon states
the policy of Vietnamization is irreversible.
US will continue to gradually withdraw it's
troops from SV
1. US aircraft continually face attacks by
missile and other means while flying over the
DMZ and Ho Chi Minh trail
73

2. Infiltration does not decrease in the S NVA,
VC attack and shell US forces in the south
F. US intelligence reports an increase of enemy
activity in all zones of occupation
1. Sec of Def Melvin Laird states
Vietnamization adequate
2. majority of pop is polled in gallop poll
continue to oppose immediate withdrawal of US
troops
3. the first of three peace meetings begin in
Paris
74

4. Cambodian demonstrators begin protesting increase of
war activity close to border, don't want to get caught up
in conflict
G. SV & Cambodian forces call for US air support to deal
with infiltrators or insurgents crossing southern borders
1.SV forces 3/28/70 begin major incursions into Cambodia
searching for VC strongholds
2. Nixon White House announces troops allowed to cross
Cambodian border
3. Cambodian border 4/4/70 heaviest fighting in war to
occur on border or in neutral country increased fighting
at DMZ
75

4. Cambodian government forces give VC
complete control of Parrot's Beak
a. SV pursue and contest Cambodia to fight
infiltrators
b. 48% US in Gallup poll support Nixon's
Cambodian excursion
c. 12,000 US troops withdraw from SV
76

XIII Cambodia!
A. Nixon gives US troops full authorization
to enter Cambodia to destroy communist
sanctuaries
1. 6,000 ARVN troops using US air support
attack The Parrot's Beak
2. Nixon announces US forces are operating
in Cambodia
B. Senators announce plans to cut US funding
to SEA
77

1. 5/3/70 protesters Kent State burn ROTC
building
2. 5/4/70 Kent State sends National Guardsmen
to break-up protests, 100 Guardsmen fire
rifles into crowd killing 4 and wounding 11.
Nixon encouraged by colleges to end war.
3. Nixon gives a firm commitment to remove US
troops from Cambodia in 1 month & issues a
statement deploring the deaths: “dissent
turns to violence and invites tragedy.”
4. Pres Thieu & Premier Lon Nol of Cambodia
not bound by US restrictions
78

C. Nixon states Cambodian involvement will
provide 6-8 months of needed training for SV
army.
1.75,000-100,000 young people demonstrate
peaceably in front of White House demanding
withdrawal of US troops
2. Congress swamped with mail, petitions, and
telegrams to remove US troops
3. Nixon on TV speech 6/3/70 says Cambodia
most successful campaign in war now
withdrawal of US forces continues
79

4. Senate votes 81-10 repeal Gulf of Tonkin
Res. thus idea no need to fight in SEA any
longer
5. SV forces take primary role of fending off
VC in Cambodia. US forces now out of
Cambodia
D. 8/11/70 SV takes over Cambodia incursion US
soldiers have been replaced in Cambodian and
Laotian border
1. SV forces announce that 3000 man operation
in the Parrot's Beak of Cambodia has
eradicated most VC
80

2. 200 Vietnamese and 1,500 marines begin naval
operations in the Mekong Delta to destroy
communist bases
E. 10/7/70 Nixon in a TV speech asks VC & NV to
agree to an Indochina cease-fire to negotiate
peace.
1. Nixon proposes an eventual and immediate
unconditional release of prisoners
2. communist proposal of the ouster of Thieu &
Ky totally unacceptable
3. 10/12/70 Nixon announces 40,000 more troops
home before Christmas
81

4. 10/14/70 NV announces rejection of Nixon's
proposals
5. 11/21/70 combined 50 US forces raid Sontay
prison camp to release POWs. Camp empty.
6. US conducting bombing by B-52s in NV but
not above the 19th parallel
F. end 1970 SV announces one-day only cease-
fire for Christmas/New Year
1. Nixon announces continued bombing NV
82

2. Vietnam winding down 280,000 troops left
behind Cambodia and Laos show just how much
turmoil there is in Indochina
XIV. Nixon's Promise to Withdraw
A.the air war in NV, Laos, & Cambodia
increases to new levels throughout the year
US B-52s alone drop over 1 million tons of
bombs
1. US Joint Chiefs state 1/11/71 the US
combat responsibility to SV continued for
Vietnam to work
83

2. US jets continue to support SV and attack
missile sites and SAM sites
3. bombing in 1971 reaches its highest peak
since pre-1967
4. US airpower outside Vietnam reaches its
peak for helicopter service as 1,500 are in
use via SV forces entering Cambodia's
Parrot's Beak
B. anti-war sentiment continues in the US
84

1. Rev. Philip Berigan serves 6 years for
burning draft cards and plotting to kidnap
Kissinger
2. TV speech Sen. G. McGovern begins an antiwar
TV campaign
3. Nixon in TV speech will not limit air war
with massive peace marches on colleges campuses,
antiwar/Nixon
4. Eugene McCarthy begins antiwar teach-ins at
Harvard to employ political tactics instead of
violence
85

5. a bomb explodes in capital building in Washington
DC causing $3,000,000 worth of damage hurting no
one.
a. war critics in Congress denounce Senate
Democrats as supporting the enemy
b. veterans protest in DC during a 5-day
demonstration rally of 200,000 takes place on mall
6. militant war demonstrations occur in DC; end up
with 12,616 - a record high for civil disturbance
arrests
7. in support of Nixon Vietnam vets for just peace
declare s war irresponsible but Nixon going a good
86

C. American troop withdrawals and Vietnamizaton
continues to please public
1. Phoenix operation is increased to gather
intelligence to destroy VC within the south to
increase the people's defense
2. in response to Vietnamization New Zealand
announces troop withdrawals from SV 3/17/71
3. VP Nguyen Cao Ky states in recent operations
Vietnamization is going slowly
4. 4/26/71 US command in Saigon forces at
lowest since July 66 281,400 men
87

5. 7/1/71 6100 soldiers withdraw from DMZ
leaving it almost entirely to SV leaving it for
transfer of defense
6. N Zealand & Australia claim all forces will
withdraw by end of 1971
7. 9/9/71 S Korea announces 48,000 man force
withdraw all forces by June 1972
8. In replace of troops B-52s drop 1,000 tons a
day on DMZ and Cambodia
9. Nixon announces 45,000 more troops out by
2/72 leaving 139,000 in SV
88

D. Major announcements
1. the 26th amendment grants 18-year-olds the
right to vote. War fought by those too young
to vote - cause of reform
2. surprise announcement Nixon traveling to
Peking China
3. for first time Paris peace talks fail to set
another meeting for 138th session
4. Nixon states the China visit 7/15/71 in a TV
speech will seek normalization of relations and
discuss views on Vietnam
89

5. 12/12/71 Nixon discloses US ground combat
role is at an end and troops are now in a
defensive position 80% of forces when he entered
office are now home
6. 12/31/71 gradual US withdrawal has reduced US
casualties figures in Indochina to 1,286
a. US goal fully shifted from military victory
to graceful disengagement accompanied by
Vietnamization in the south
b. soldiers people of SV all question whether
situation is worth it
90

XV. The Light at the End of the Tunnel
A. Nixon announces troop withdrawals all except
25,000 still needed to protect US interests and
until all POWs are released from NV
1. Nixon announces withdrawals will meet
requirements set as 70,000 men come home for
peace agreement
2. 1/20/72 SV prepares for communist Tet
offensive
3. 2/4/72 China in an internal release states
it backs the communist struggle in Indochina
until they achieve final victory in south
91

4. Spring 1972 Gallup poll said 52% approve
Nixon's handling of Vietnam war
5. Nixon arrives in Peking and believes his
visit to China has changed the world
6. It is hoped open relations with China will
help US war effort. China and Russia
relationship “rocky”
7. Joint communique released by China & US
support the 8-point proposal
92

B. war continues
1. US prepares hundreds of B-52s and fighters
for air strikes
2. US 7th fleet warships bombed NV largest air-
sea battle since 1964 involving aircraft and
ships
3. Nixon announces no more draftees will be
sent to Vietnam after Sept. 1 total for all
Indochina ground troops equals 39,000
4. no US deaths occurred 9/28/72 not since
March 65
93

5. 10/12/72 46 black & white crewmen brawl on
carrier Kitty Hawk in one of the largest racial
clashes during the war
6. The most intense bombing of the war ends
12/31/72
C. negotiations and domestic issues
1. 4/21/72 House of Representatives votes to
terminate US involvement in Vietnam
2. Nixon meets with Brezhnev for summit talks
in Moscow though Vietnam won't be discussed
94

3. US Sentate passes Cooper amendment to a
military bill the amendment stipulates complete
US withraw if Hanoi releases POWs
4. Nixon is reelected Pres. carrying all states
except Mass.
5. to respond to scheduled resumption of secret
peace talks bombing is halted
95

XVI. The End
A. Paris peace negotiations Nixon suspends the
most concentrated bombing of the war
1. Kissinger announces a truce for V/L/C
2. Laird announces the end of military draft
in America
B. 1/27/73 last servicemen to die in war Lt Col
William Nolde
96

1. an agreement to end the war is signed in
Paris US, NV, SV, & VC
2. Nixon hints US might intervene in V to stop
communists
3. White House announces bombing of Cambodia at
request of Lon Nol
4. US troops leave SV ending nearly 11 years of
US military presence only defense attache at
Embassy remains
5. Hanoi releases 67 last POWs of the 587
97

D. 29-30 April 1975 complete withdrawal
1. Option IV the largest helicopter evacuation
on record begins removing US and combatants
from Saigon
2. Ford issues a proclamation designating this
the last day of Vietnam Era for wartime
benifits qualification 5/7/75
E. June 1975 Congress appropriates $450 mil for
SV and Cambodian refugees in US over 140,000
refugees are flown to US in following year
98

F. 1/03/76 Thailand orders all military
personnel to leave except 276 advisers
G. 7/2/1976 the National Assembly proclaims
official unification of N & S Vietnam under NV
Prime Minister Pham Van Duong Hanoi is official
capital
H. 15/11/76 US single vote vetoing Vietnam's
entry into United Nations for at least 800
servicemen still listed missing in Vietnam
99

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