History - Vietnam (Nixon/Opposition)

• What is the date of the Nixon Doctrine announcement?

  25th July 1969
• What would the USA do under the Nixon Doctrine regarding treaty commitments?

  Honor any treaty commitments made
• How would the USA respond to a nuclear threat according to the Nixon Doctrine?

  Ally against a nuclear threat
• What type of support would the USA provide against non-nuclear threats?

  Provide aid and training, not troops
• What was the concept of Vietnamisation?

  Application of the Nixon Doctrine in Vietnam
• What were the consequences of Vietnamisation in terms of US troop levels?

  Fewer troops and fewer US deaths
• What was the public reaction to the withdrawal from Vietnam?

  Public outrage over the slow withdrawal
• How did South Vietnamese feel about the US withdrawal?

  Felt left hanging and unsupported
• Who took over Cambodia in 1970?

  Pro-American General Lon Nol
• Why did Nixon agree to invade Cambodia?

  To support Nol and prevent communism
• What was the initial public response to the bombing in Cambodia?

  Kept secret due to fear of outrage
• How many ARVN and US troops were involved in the Cambodian invasion?

  50,000 ARVN and 30,000 US troops
• What was the limit on US troop movement during the Cambodian invasion?

  Could only go 19 miles across the border
• What was the outcome of the Cambodian invasion regarding the HCM Trail?

  11,000 communists killed and bases destroyed
• What was the public reaction to the Cambodian invasion?

  Public outcry and protests on campuses
• What did Congress do in response to the Cambodian invasion?

  Cancelled Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
• What was the situation in Laos during the Loos 1971 operation?

  North Vietnamese used the Laotian section of HCM Trail
• How many troops did the North Vietnamese gather for the Loos 1971 battle?

  36,000 troops and tanks
• What was the outcome of the Loos 1971 battle?

  No real victory for either side
• What was Operation Linebacker in 1972?

  US bombing campaign during Easter Offensive
• How many troops did the North Vietnamese use in the Easter Offensive?

  120,000 troops
• What was a significant action taken by Nixon during Operation Linebacker?

  Ordered mines dropped on Haiphong Harbour
• What was the public sentiment regarding the Vietnam War by January 1973?

  Pressure to end the war was high
• When was the Paris Agreement signed?

  27th January 1973
• What did the Paris Agreement entail?

  Ceasefire and timetable for reunification
• What happened in March 1975 regarding South Vietnam?

  North Vietnamese Army swept through South
• What was the outcome of the fall of Saigon?

  Vietnam became united under communism
• What motivated students to oppose the Vietnam War?

  Seeking social change and rejecting values
• What actions did students take to protest the war?

  Held sit-ins, boycotts, and demonstrations
• What was the role of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)?

  Organized protests and opposed the war
• How many members did SDS have by 1965?

  3,000 members
• What was the impact of the draft on poor families?

  Less able to avoid the draft
• Who were exempt from the draft?

  College students, clergymen, and others
• What did anti-war activists do regarding the draft?

  Published pamphlets and offered advice
• How many people avoided being drafted?

  15 million people
• What was the significance of the media during the Vietnam War?

  First war watched on TV, called "Living Room War"
• How did uncensored media affect public perception?

  Made public lose faith in the government
• What happened during the My Lai Massacre?

  Lieutenant Calley killed all villagers and animals
• How was the My Lai incident initially reported?

  Covered up as only 20 civilian deaths
• What did Ron Ridenhour do regarding the My Lai Massacre?

  Collected eyewitness accounts and wrote letters