The End of Vietnam and US Withdrawal

When it comes to the US exiting Vietnam there is a lot to cover, and a lot of controversy, but what we have done is break some of the key events underpinning the US exit into bite-size chunks that we think will help make studying the end of the Vietnam War super easy, specifically zoning in on these areas:

• The Paris Peace Talks
• Nixon's Approach to Vietnam and Vietnamization
• The Invasions of Cambodia and Laos
• Paris Peace Accords
• The Fall of South Vietnam

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Paris Peace Talks

The Paris Peace Talks began in May 1968 as an attempt to negotiate an end to the Vietnam War. They involved the U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong.

• Initial Challenges: The talks were plagued by disagreements over procedural issues, such as the shape of the negotiating table, and more substantive issues like ceasefire terms and the future political structure of Vietnam.
• Breakthrough: Progress was slow until the election of President Richard Nixon, who brought a new approach to the negotiations.

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Nixon's Approach to Ending the War

President Richard Nixon took office in January 1969, promising to achieve "peace with honor."

• "Vietnamization": Nixon's strategy focused on transferring combat roles to South Vietnamese forces while gradually withdrawing U.S. troops. The goal was to enable South Vietnam to defend itself independently.
• Increased Bombing: To pressure North Vietnam into negotiations, Nixon escalated bombing campaigns in North Vietnam and extended them to Cambodia and Laos, targeting supply routes and Viet Cong sanctuaries.
• Negotiations and Secret Diplomacy: Nixon and his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, engaged in secret negotiations with North Vietnamese representatives, seeking a compromise to end the war.

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Cambodia and Laos

Nixon expanded the war into Cambodia and Laos to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a critical supply route used by the Viet Cong.

• Invasion of Cambodia: In April 1970, U.S. and South Vietnamese forces invaded Cambodia to attack Viet Cong bases. This action sparked widespread protests in the U.S., including the deadly Kent State shootings.
• Bombing of Laos: Extensive bombing campaigns were conducted in Laos to disrupt North Vietnamese supply lines, contributing to significant destruction and civilian casualties.

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Paris Peace Accords

After years of negotiations, the Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, formally ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

• The accords included a ceasefire, the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the return of prisoners of war, and a commitment to peaceful reunification of Vietnam through negotiations between North and South Vietnam.
• Despite the agreement, fighting continued between North and South Vietnamese forces, and the U.S. provided military and economic aid to South Vietnam.

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The Fall of South Vietnam

After the U.S. withdrawal, the South Vietnamese government struggled to maintain control against North Vietnamese forces.

• In 1975, North Vietnam launched a major offensive that quickly overwhelmed South Vietnamese defences.
• On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, leading to the collapse of the South Vietnamese government. This event marked the official end of the Vietnam War.

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U.S. Exit and Aftermath

The U.S. exit from Vietnam was marked by a chaotic evacuation of American personnel and Vietnamese allies as Saigon fell.

• Operation Frequent Wind: The largest helicopter evacuation in history, Operation Frequent Wind, took place as North Vietnamese forces entered Saigon, evacuating over 7,000 Americans and South Vietnamese.
• The Vietnam War led to significant changes in U.S. foreign and military policy, including the War Powers Act of 1973, which sought to limit the president's ability to deploy U.S. forces without congressional approval.

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Key Quotes

Richard Nixon: "The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker. This honour now beckons America."

Henry Kissinger: "We believe peace is at hand."

Ho Chi Minh: "You can kill ten of my men for every one I kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose and I will win."

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