The document summarizes key events and outcomes of US involvement in the Vietnam War under presidents Johnson and Nixon. It discusses escalation of bombing campaigns in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, as well as domestic opposition that grew in the US. Nixon pursued a policy of "Vietnamization" to gradually withdraw US troops while training South Vietnamese forces, but the ARVN failed to prevent a North Vietnamese takeover of South Vietnam in 1975 after US withdrawal. The war had lasting negative impacts in Cambodia, where US bombing contributed to the rise of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.

1. Vietnam Conflict

2. LBJ chose not to run for reelection Middle of the night updates, death tolls, opposition at home...

3. Involvemement Under Nixon “ Peace with honor” Pledged to keep SV non-comm., but hard without war

4. Vietnamization war & peace at same time withdraw US troops & allow SV to take over

5. Nixon Doctrine Limit US troops fighting in Asian wars

6. 1968-1972

7. Attacks in Laos Bombed along Ho Chi Minh Trail for 6 yrs 150,000 tons of bombs

8. Successful in reduced movement along the Trail, but not stopping it completely… … So, ARVN attempted to invade and FAILED 750,000 Laotians died

9. Attacks in Cambodia US into Cambodia to “secure troops leaving VN”

10. US college campuses in an uproar >>>

11. Kent State Massacre (5/2/1970) Riots downtown after troops to Cambodia National Guard called in to campus student rxn: cleaned & peaceful protests but…ROTC building set on fire

12. Kent State Massacre (5/2/1970) Not violent at first – put flowers in rifles People began to push against Guards Guardsmen: tear gas 1 st , bayonets, 70 shots fired 4 students died; 1 paralyzed; 8 wounded

14. Cooper-Church Amendment No US troops outside of Vietnam No air raids in Cambodia w/o Congress approval Landmark amendment in Vietnam Ended executive privilege

15. Impact on Cambodia 100,000 peasants died; 2 million homeless Right wing government in Cambodia supported by US Cambodians blamed government for bombings by US… … and began to support the Khmer Rouge (communists) led by Soloth Sar (Pol Pot)

16. Impact on Cambodia

17. Impact on Cambodia Pol Pot was educated in France; admired Stalin Goal = agrarian socialism Three groups he targeted: City Dwellers (wealthy) Military (high officials) Educated The Killing Fields

18. led to one of bloodiest regimes in 20th century 3 years 1.5 million killed

19. Involvement under Nixon Vietnamization was FAILING Secret peace talks in Paris 1971 and through 1973 Many offensive attacks by NV & bombs by US Then, Nixon got caught up in Watergate Scandal “ Secret” bombings now public Nixon decided best course was to halt all action in SE Asia

20. Withdrawal of US Troops Treaty of Paris was signed Cease-fire signed (includes Laos & Cambodia) released POWs from NV Council to form new government for SV US sent monetary aid to SV

21. Withdrawal of US Troops Last group left > 1972 NV didn’t break promise but SV leader didn’t follow through NV launched final offensive in 1975 SV leader resigned; ARVN surrendered to NV

22. Common Misconceptions Average age Vietnam soldier = 22 years, not 18 20% of soldiers drafted, not majority Two famous pictures: 80% of Vietnam Veterans glad they served & reported they would serve again if they could go back in time Most Vets = successful transition to civilian life Most U.S. hold Vietnam Vets = high esteem

25. The parade of Vietnam veterans down Broadway in Manhattan, 1985; 10 years after the war the American soldiers were finally welcomed home. After their return from Vietnam, many veterans in the US were treated with disrespect. There were few adjustment and help programs available and the public was divided in its opinion. American veterans received only partial benefits in comparison to earlier campaign veterans, Vietnam veterans were also stereotyped as drug addicts, violence seekers etc. As general interest about the war grew due to the media attention and Hollywood movies such as Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, efforts at correcting some of the problems have been made. Belated parades and memorials have sought to patch up some of the ill feeling, but many US veterans still feel that there are many areas that still need improvement.