The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects

1. The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects

2. The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects Learning Objectives • Assess Nixon’s new approach to the war, and explain why protests continued. • Explain what led to the Paris Peace Accords and why South Vietnam eventually fell to the communists. • Evaluate the impact of the Vietnam War on the United States.

3. The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 4 The War’s End and Effects Key Terms • Vietnamization • My Lai • Pentagon Papers • Paris Peace Accords. • Roy P. Benavidez • War Powers Act

4. Attempts to Withdraw from Vietnam As a presidential candidate, Richard Nixon promised “peace with honor” and an end to a war that had fractured American society. Nixon did indeed withdraw American troops, and the Vietnam War finally ended. But the impact of the war endured. As the nation recovered from war, Americans reexamined the struggle against communism, the power of the presidency, and America’s role in the world.

5. Attempts to Withdraw from Vietnam • Peace Talks Stall • Vietnamization

6. Attempts to Withdraw from Vietnam President Nixon meets with his defense team in January 1971.

7. Events Intensify the Antiwar Movement Nixon inherited two things from Lyndon Johnson: an unpopular war and a vocal American opposition to it. The new President wanted “peace with honor,” security for America’s ally South Vietnam, and international respect for U.S. foreign policy. Antiwar activists wanted the war ended and American troops out of Vietnam—on any terms. Nixon found it increasingly difficult to achieve his goals and satisfy the snowballing antiwar movement.

8. Events Intensify the Antiwar Movement • The War Widens into Cambodia • The Kent State Killings • The My Lai Massacre • The Pentagon Papers

9. Events Intensify the Antiwar Movement Analyze Data The chart shows responses to the question: Do you think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in Vietnam? What does the data reveal about opposition to the war?

10. Events Intensify the Antiwar Movement Fourteen-year-old Mary Ann Vecchio kneels over the body of Kent State student Jeffrey Miller, age 20. Also killed were Allison Krause, 19; William Schroeder, 19; and Sandra Scheuer, 20.

11. The Vietnam War Ends The failings of Vietnamization and growing dissent at home forced President Nixon to search for some final way out of the conflict. A 1971 public-opinion poll revealed that two thirds of Americans favored withdrawing American troops, even if it meant a communist takeover of South Vietnam. Sensitive to the public mood, Congress pressed Nixon to bring the troops home. Many believed that to win reelection in 1972, he had to end the war.

12. The Vietnam War Ends • American Troops Withdraw from Vietnam • The Fall of Saigon

13. The Vietnam War Ends U.S. troops wait to return home after completing their tours in Vietnam. Hypothesize What difficulties might be faced by soldiers returning from duty?

14. Effects of the Vietnam War More than 58,000 American soldiers gave their lives serving their country in Vietnam; another 300,000 were wounded. Although figures are not exact, the Vietnamese death toll most likely exceeded 2 million. Peace, however, did not mean the end of pain and hardship. The end of the war created other problems in Southeast Asia. The war also affected American attitudes toward world affairs.

15. Effects of the Vietnam War • Southeast Asia After the War • American Veterans Return Home • The Impact on U.S. Domestic and Foreign Policies • The Impact on the American Economy

16. Effects of the Vietnam War Analyze Data Compare the total number of civilian casualties to the number of military casualties. What do the totals tell you about the effects of modern warfare on civilian populations?

17. Effects of the Vietnam War The communist Khmer Rouge who came to power in Cambodia committed genocide against non-communists. Some of the remains of the victims of the Khmer Rouge are honored in this shrine.

18. Effects of the Vietnam War Analyze Information What economic problems affected the greatest number of Americans? Explain.

19. Quiz: Attempts to Withdraw from Vietnam Which policy was President Nixon committed to at the end of the Vietnam War? A. “peace with honor” B. “imperial presidency” C. “nonviolent withdrawal” D. “using all necessary measures”

20. Quiz: Events Intensify the Antiwar Movement What did the Pentagon Papers reveal? A. that U.S. troops killed Vietnamese civilians in My Lai B. that Nixon lied about expanding the war into Cambodia C. that four students had been shot at Kent State University D. that U.S. leaders lied to Congress about involvement in Vietnam

21. Quiz: The Vietnam War Ends What happened after the United States withdrew troops from Vietnam? A. North Vietnamese forces took control of South Vietnam. B. North Vietnam and South Vietnam both honored the cease-fire. C. South Vietnam initiated a diplomatic settlement with North Vietnam. D. South Vietnam attacked North Vietnam to maintain power in the region.

22. Quiz: Effects of the Vietnam War How did the Vietnam War affect the American public? A. It created deep divisions due to differing opinions about the war. B. It inspired most Americans by revealing the power of the U.S. military. C. It motivated people to welcome returning veterans with victory parades. D. It influenced many Americans to support U.S. involvement abroad.