The End to America's Involvement In Vietnam

Fathers are pleading, lovers are all alone Mothers are praying- send our sons back home You marched them away yes, you did-on ships and planes To the senseless war, facing death in vain Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Turn the ships around, lay your weapons down Can't you see 'em march across the sky, all the soldiers that have died Tryin' to get home- can't you see them tryin' to get home? Tryin' to get home- they're tryin' to get home Cease all fire on the battlefield Enough men have already been wounded or killed Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the Boys Home

Fathers are pleading, lovers are all alone Mothers are praying- send our sons back home You marched them away yes, you did-on ships and planes To the senseless war, facing death in vain Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Bring the boys home (bring 'em back alive) Turn the ships around, lay your weapons down

Nixon Becomes President

1968 Campaign Promise End to the war: Peace with Honor Nixon's Foreign Policy Nixon's idea of " peace with honor " in Vietnam was designed to contrast his plan with that of the Democrats, who just wanted to dump US allies in South Vietnam and allow them to be taken over by the Communists .

1968 Campaign Promise

End to the war:

Peace with Honor

Nixon's idea of " peace with honor " in Vietnam was designed to contrast his plan with that of the Democrats, who just wanted to dump US allies in South Vietnam and allow them to be taken over by the Communists .

Policy of Vietamization Remove US troops from the war All POWs must return South Vietnam must fight its war with US $$$ Force North Vietnam to accept peace plan continual bombing of North Vietnam attacking North Vietnamese strongholds in Cambodia (1970) All US ground combat ends 1970; air war Nixon's Foreign Policy

Policy of Vietamization

Remove US troops from the war

All POWs must return

South Vietnam must fight its war with US $$$

Force North Vietnam to accept peace plan

continual bombing of North Vietnam

attacking North Vietnamese strongholds in Cambodia (1970)

All US ground combat ends 1970; air war

End of containment policy Détente with USSR ... friendship? Détente with China ... friendship? Play off China vs. USSR fear each other Convince North Vietnam to negotiate for peace. Nixon's Foreign Policy Détente refers to openness or resuming diplomatic relations.

End of containment policy

Détente with USSR ... friendship?

Détente with China ... friendship?

Play off China vs. USSR

fear each other

Convince North Vietnam to negotiate for peace.

Nixon and Vietnam Nixon’s Key Advisor Henry Kissinger Harvard professor National security advisor and later his Secretary of State. Used media to shape public opinion. Celebrity status for negotiating an end to the Vietnam War. Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his part in ending the war.

Nixon’s Key Advisor

Henry Kissinger

Harvard professor

National security advisor and later his Secretary of State.

Used media to shape public opinion.

Celebrity status for negotiating an end to the Vietnam War.

Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his part in ending the war.

1969 Secretary of Defense, Melvin Laird, announces the policy of “Vietnamization” Gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops. SVA responsible for providing troops to fight against the NVA and VC Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79 Apollo 11 lands on the moon Woodstock Music Festival Nixon and Vietnam

Secretary of Defense, Melvin Laird, announces the policy of “Vietnamization”

Gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops.

SVA responsible for providing troops to fight against the NVA and VC

Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79

Apollo 11 lands on the moon

Woodstock Music Festival

1970 National Security Advisor, Henry A. Kissinger begins secret peace talks with North Vietnamese leaders in Paris. President Nixon withdrew 40,000 troops as part of the Vietnamization process. Secret bombings of Cambodia and US invasion in 1970 Kent State Protest / Massacre, May 4, 1970 Nixon and Vietnam

National Security Advisor, Henry A. Kissinger begins secret peace talks with North Vietnamese leaders in Paris.

President Nixon withdrew 40,000 troops as part of the Vietnamization process.

Secret bombings of Cambodia and US invasion in 1970

Kent State Protest / Massacre, May 4, 1970

Nixon and Vietnam Nixon explains invasion into Cambodia Response to Ho Chi Minh Trail NVA strongholds Force NV to the peace table.

Nixon explains invasion into Cambodia

Response to Ho Chi Minh Trail

NVA strongholds

Force NV to the peace table.

1970 Invasion of Cambodia, April 29 to June 29 1971 Invasion of Laos, Feb. 6 to March 1972 Haiphong harbor mined U.S. air raids over Hanoi The Vietnam War, 1964 to 1975

1970 Invasion of Cambodia, April 29 to June 29

1971 Invasion of Laos, Feb. 6 to March

1972 Haiphong harbor mined U.S. air raids over Hanoi

Anti-War Demonstrations Kent State University, May 4, 1970 4 students shot dead and 11 students wounded Jackson State University, May 10, 1970 2 dead and 12 wounded Nixon and Vietnam

Anti-War Demonstrations

Kent State University, May 4, 1970

4 students shot dead and 11 students wounded

Jackson State University, May 10, 1970

2 dead and 12 wounded

1970 Nixon and Vietnam Troop levels 1970 South Vietnamese 968,000 American 334,600 Australian 6,800 New Zealand 470 South Korea 48,450 Philippines 70 Thailand 11,570

grunts 1971 Nixon withdraws 100,000 troops. Invades Laos Nixon and Vietnam Troop Levels 1971 South Vietnamese 1,046,250 American 156,800 Australian 2,000 New Zealand 100 South Korea 45,700 Philippines 70 Thailand 6,000

Nixon withdraws 100,000 troops.

Invades Laos

1972 Success of Vietnamization, 1969-72 SVN government & army built up pacification 1969-71; 90% of population safe (many moved to cities) Viet Cong lose base; US victory! now a conventional war of NV vs SV US ground troops exit 1971 Nixon visits China and the Soviet Union. August, the Watergate burglaries occur. Nixon re-elected as President Nixon and Vietnam

Success of Vietnamization, 1969-72

SVN government & army built up

pacification 1969-71; 90% of population safe (many moved to cities)

Viet Cong lose base; US victory!

now a conventional war of NV vs SV

US ground troops exit 1971

Nixon visits China and the Soviet Union.

August, the Watergate burglaries occur.

Nixon re-elected as President

Nixon's Foreign Policy February 1972, President Nixon visited Beijing, China. Nixon met with Chairman Mao Zedong Held talks with Premier Zhou En Lai. Nixon’s Détente policy of openness with the Communists Normalize diplomatic relations with China Issues discussed : Taiwan, Vietnam and containing the Soviet Union.

February 1972, President Nixon visited Beijing, China.

Nixon met with Chairman Mao Zedong

Held talks with Premier Zhou En Lai.

Nixon’s Détente policy of openness with the Communists

Normalize diplomatic relations with China

Issues discussed : Taiwan, Vietnam and containing the Soviet Union.

President Richard Nixon and Russian leader Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT treaty, freezing certain U.S. and Soviet weapons systems, on May 26, 1972 in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Nixon's Foreign Policy Nixon visits Soviet Union in May of 1972 Enters into several agreements. SALT 1 Trade agreements

President Richard Nixon and Russian leader Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT treaty, freezing certain U.S. and Soviet weapons systems, on May 26, 1972 in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.

Nixon visits Soviet Union in May of 1972

Enters into several agreements.

SALT 1

Trade agreements

1972 Mr. Billett turns 18 in Feb. and registers for the draft . Nixon and Vietnam Troop Levels 1972 South Vietnamese 1,048,000 American 24,200 Australian 130 New Zealand 50 South Korea 36,790 Philippines 50 Thailand 50

Mr. Billett turns 18 in Feb. and registers for the draft .

Nixon and Vietnam Vietnamization works; Viet Cong gone Soviet Union & China pressure Hanoi to negotiate US ground troops gone by 1973 1973 Troop Levels 1973 South Vietnamese 1,110,000 American 50

Vietnamization works; Viet Cong gone

Soviet Union & China pressure Hanoi to negotiate

US ground troops gone by 1973

The Ceasefire, 1973 Peace is at hand – Kissinger, 1972 North Vietnam attacks South Massive U.S. bombing of North Vietnam 1973: Ceasefire signed between U.S., South Vietnam, & North Vietnam Peace with honor (Nixon) Nixon and Vietnam

Peace is at hand – Kissinger, 1972

North Vietnam attacks South

Massive U.S. bombing of North Vietnam

1973: Ceasefire signed between

U.S., South Vietnam, & North Vietnam

Peace with honor (Nixon)

Peace Negotiations Dr. Henry Kissinger & Le Duc Tho negotiate the end to the Vietnam War with the Paris Peace Accords, 1973 Both leaders would win the Nobel Peace Prize. Vietnam War Ends

Dr. Henry Kissinger & Le Duc Tho negotiate the end to the Vietnam War with the Paris Peace Accords, 1973

Both leaders would win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Conditions of the Peace Agreement U.S. to remove all troops North Vietnam would resume war with South Vietnam No decision for POWs or MIAs Vietnam War Ends

Conditions of the Peace Agreement

U.S. to remove all troops

North Vietnam would resume war with South Vietnam

No decision for POWs or MIAs

1974 South Vietnam prepares for North Vietnam’s invasion. Senate investigation committee begins Watergate hearings to learn if there was a cover up. Congress begins impeachment hearings against President Nixon President Nixon resigns from the Presidency Vice President Gerald Ford becomes President Vietnam War Ends

South Vietnam prepares for North Vietnam’s invasion.

Senate investigation committee begins Watergate hearings to learn if there was a cover up.

Congress begins impeachment hearings against President Nixon

President Nixon resigns from the Presidency

Vice President Gerald Ford becomes President

The Fall of Saigon The War Is Lost NVA’s invasion of SV was successful Invade Saigon and capture South Vietnam Vietnam was united and is a communistic country.

NVA’s invasion of SV was successful

Invade Saigon and capture South Vietnam

Vietnam was united and is a communistic country.

The Fall of Saigon America Abandons Its Embassy, April 30, 1975 The War Is Lost

1973 U.S. troops withdraw 1975 Surrender in Saigon, April 20 The Vietnam War, 1964 to 1975

1973 U.S. troops withdraw

1975 Surrender in Saigon, April 20

The New Vietnam One united nation. Saigon, the capital city of SVN becomes Ho Chi Minh City. President Gerald Ford declared the war “ finished .” The War Is Lost

The New Vietnam

One united nation.

Saigon, the capital city of SVN becomes Ho Chi Minh City.

President Gerald Ford declared the war “ finished .”

26 th Amendment : 18-year-olds vote, 1971 , 1973, draft abolished replaced with an all volunteer military War Powers Act , 1973 POW / MIA 2,583 American soldiers still missing today. Returning soldiers disrespected by many Americans seen as “ baby killers ” Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Impact of the War

26 th Amendment : 18-year-olds vote, 1971

, 1973, draft abolished replaced with an all volunteer military

War Powers Act , 1973

POW / MIA 2,583 American soldiers still missing today.

Returning soldiers disrespected by many Americans seen as “ baby killers ”

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Got on a plane in 'Frisco And got off in Vietnam I walked into a different world The past forever gone I could have gone to Canada Or I could have stayed in school But I was brought up differently I couldn't break the rules Thirteen months and fifteen days The last ones were the worst One minute I'd kneel down and pray And the next I'd stand and curse No place to run to Where I did not feel that war When I got home I stayed alone And checked behind each door Cuz I'm still in Saigon, Still in Saigon I am still in Saigon, In my mind The ground at home was covered in snow And I was covered in sweat My younger brother calls me a killer And my daddy calls me a vet Still In Saigon Everybody says I'm someone else And I'm sick and there's no cure Damned if I know who I am There was only one place I was sure When i was still in Saigon, Still in saigon, I am still in saigon, In my mind Every summer when it rains I smell the jungle, I hear the planes I can't tell no one, I feel ashamed Afraid some day I'll go insane That's been ten long years ago And time has gone on by Now and then I catch myself Eyes searching through the sky All the sounds of long ago Will be forever in my head Mingled with the wounded cries And the silence of the dead 'Cuz I'm still in Saigon, Still in Saigon I am still in Saigon, In my mind I am still in Saigon, I am still in Saigon Yes, I'm still in Saigon, In my mind

Got on a plane in 'Frisco And got off in Vietnam I walked into a different world The past forever gone I could have gone to Canada Or I could have stayed in school But I was brought up differently I couldn't break the rules Thirteen months and fifteen days The last ones were the worst One minute I'd kneel down and pray And the next I'd stand and curse No place to run to Where I did not feel that war When I got home I stayed alone And checked behind each door

Cuz I'm still in Saigon, Still in Saigon I am still in Saigon, In my mind

The ground at home was covered in snow And I was covered in sweat My younger brother calls me a killer And my daddy calls me a vet

3,000,000 Vietnamese killed 58,000 Americans killed 300,000 wounded Of those that died 11,465 were teenagers 10,000 dead from accidents 153,000 hospitalized & survive 2,590,000 Americans in Vietnam. Great Society programs underfunded $150,000,000,000 in U.S. spending U.S. morale, self-confidence, trust of government decimated Cost of the War

3,000,000 Vietnamese killed

58,000 Americans killed

300,000 wounded

Of those that died 11,465 were teenagers

10,000 dead from accidents

153,000 hospitalized & survive

2,590,000 Americans in Vietnam.

Great Society programs underfunded

$150,000,000,000 in U.S. spending

U.S. morale, self-confidence, trust of government decimated

1,200 airplanes crash 6,727,084 tons of bombs were dropped. 3,750 fixed wing aircraft 4,865 helicopters were lost. 500,000 acres of Vietnam were sprayed with defoliants, Agent Orange The effects of Agent Orange may last up to 100 years. Cost of the War

1,200 airplanes crash

6,727,084 tons of bombs were dropped.

3,750 fixed wing aircraft

4,865 helicopters were lost.

500,000 acres of Vietnam were sprayed with defoliants, Agent Orange

The effects of Agent Orange may last up to 100 years.

Short wars Clear and winnable goals Deadline for troop withdrawals Few American causalities Media restricted from access to the battleground Maintain Congressional and public support Lessons Learned

Short wars

Clear and winnable goals

Deadline for troop withdrawals

Few American causalities

Media restricted from access to the battleground

Maintain Congressional and public support

President Clinton formally recognized Vietnam on July 11, 1995

These mist covered mountains Are a home now for me But my home is the lowlands And always will be Some day you’ll return to Your valleys and your farms And you’ll no longer burn To be brothers in arms Through these fields of destruction Baptisms of fire I’ve watched all your suffering As the battles raged higher And though they did hurt me so bad In the fear and alarm You did not desert me My brothers in arms Brothers In Arms There’s so many different worlds So many differents suns And we have just one world But we live in different ones Now the sun’s gone to hell And the moon riding high Let me bid you farewell Every man has to die But it’s written in the starlight And every line on your palm Were fools to make war On our brothers in arms