Section 4

• What was Nixon's Vietnamisation policy?

  • Give south Vietnamese more responsibility to fight the war
  • Strengthen South Vietnamese forces so they can fend for themselves - US could withdraw troops without appearing defeated
• Vietnamisation events

  • US financial & military aid continued as troops gradually started to be withdrawn
  • 1st was 1969 of 25,000 another 60,000 were withdrawn 6 months later
• Why was Vietnamisation unsuccessful?

  • Many south Vietnamese people were Vietcong- Likely to turn communist without US supervision
  • ARVN were incapable of fighting communists without the US forces
  • Senior members o US military didn't think South Vietnam would last long after US withdrawal
• The madman theory

  • Attempt to scare north Vietnamese into accept peace terms
  • US tried to convince north Vietnam Nixon hated communism so much he was considering using nuclear weapons
  • Had little impact and peace negotiations continued
• What did the Nixon Doctrine signify in US policy?

  It changed commitment to new conflicts.
• How did the Nixon Doctrine differ from previous policies?

  It honored current commitments but avoided new conflicts.
• When did the war spread to Cambodia and Laos?

  In 1970 and 1971.
• Why did the Vietcong and NVA use Cambodia?

  It served as a safe haven for operations.
• What action did Nixon authorize in Cambodia in 1970?

  Bombing raids and troop incursions.
• What was the public reaction to Nixon's actions in Cambodia?

  There were widespread protests across the US.
• How many bombs were dropped on Cambodia?

  3 million tonnes.
• What was the impact of the bombing on civilians in Cambodia?

  It killed 100,000 civilians and made 2 million homeless.
• What was the support level for Nixon during the protests?

  Support never fell below 30%.
• What happened in February 1971 involving ARVN troops?

  They invaded Laos with US air support.
• What was the goal of the ARVN troops in Laos?

  To destroy parts of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
• What was the outcome of the ARVN invasion of Laos?

  They were heavily defeated by NVA troops.
• What did Nixon restart regarding North Vietnam?

  Large-scale bombing campaigns.
• Why did Nixon increase bombing in 1972?

  To force concessions during stalled peace talks.
• When did the bombing known as Operation Linebacker II begin?

  On December 18, 1972.
• How long did Operation Linebacker II last?

  It lasted for 18 days.
• What was the major target of the bombing during Operation Linebacker II?

  Hanoi and Haiphong.
• What was the civilian impact of the bombing in North Vietnam?

  1,600 civilians and 70 US airmen were killed.
• How did the New York Times describe Nixon's bombing strategy?

  As diplomacy through terror.
• When was the paris peace agreement

  1973
• Main terms of Paris peace accords

  • US stops aiding ARVN- all fighting stops
  • Vietnam reunified based on negotiations between Vietcong, north Vietnam & south Vietnam.
  • US paying for repairs to north & south vietnam - reparations
  • Prisoners of war & equipment returned
• Paris peace agreement - what did USA want?

  • withdrawal of US & North Vietnamese forces from South vietnam
  • wanted prisoners of war released
  • Allow South Vietnamese to work out political problems without a north Vietnamese invasion
• Paris peace agreement - what did South Vietnam want?

  • immediate & unconditional removal of North Vietnamese forces
  • To have 1 leader- not a coalition government
• Paris peace agreement - what did North vietnam want?

  • US to remove it's forces immediatley & unconditionally
  • Resignation of president Thieu
• Who was president Thieu

  South Vietnamese president in 1967-75
• What was the main purpose of the Paris Peace Accords?

  To secure peace in Vietnam
• Why did the Paris Peace Accords fail to secure peace?

  Neither side treated it as a peace agreement
• What did Thieu's government do regarding negotiations with the communists?

  Refused to negotiate with the communists
• What was the consequence of the North preparing an invasion of South Vietnam?

  Led to the North's victory in 1975
• What did ARVN rely on to defend South Vietnam?

  US aid, including civilian contractors
• What are the key points explaining the failure of the Paris Peace Accords?

  • Neither side viewed it as a peace agreement
  • Thieu's government refused to negotiate
  • USA's willingness to abandon South Vietnam
  • North prepared for invasion, leading to victory
• What motivated both sides to seek peace in the Vietnam War?

  Growing casualties and increasing costs
• What triggered initial peace talks in Vietnam?

  • The Tet Offensive
  • Initial talks held in Paris, 1968
• What was one step Nixon took to improve relations during the Cold War?

  Held talks with China and the USSR
• What was the troop count in Vietnam by 1972?

  24,200 troops
• What was the Vietnamisation policy?

  Reducing US troop numbers and increasing ARVN forces