U SH 1 9 :3 Th e W ar W in d s D o w n

• Henry Kissinger– Harvard professor appointed to use diplomacy to

end the war• “Linkage”

– Kissinger policy which aimed to» Improve relations with Russia and China» Negotiate with North Vietnamese

The War Winds Down

• “Vietnamization”– Gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops– South Vietnamese troops take on a larger role

The War Winds Down

• Turmoil at Home– Massacre at My Lai• Innocent South Vietnamese slaughtered

– Americans outraged at home

– Invasion of Cambodia • Nixon orders invasion to attack Vietcong camps• Many Americans see this as a widening of the war

The War Winds Down

• The Pentagon Papers (1971)– Former Defense Dept employee Daniel Ellsberg – Leaked secret documents to the press• Johnson Administration officials publicly supported the

war, but in private questioned it• Presidents wanted to expand the war without the

consent of Congress• Government had lied to the people about the war

The War Winds Down

• “Christmas Bombings”– U.S. launches one last bombing offensive – North Vietnam and U.S. begin peace talks

• January, 1973: peace treaty signed • March, 1975: North Vietnamese troops invade

South Vietnam

The Legacy of Vietnam

• $171 billion cost• 58,000 American deaths• 300,000 injured• Many soldiers suffered psychological problems• POW/MIAs• 1982: Vietnam Wall– Nation begins healing

The Legacy of Vietnam

• War Powers Act (1973)– Reestablish limits on president’s power– President must inform Congress within 48 hours of

troop deployment – Must withdraw troops in 60-90 days• Unless Congress approves

• Ultimate Legacy of Vietnam– Many Americans do not trust government or

leaders