The War Winds Down

Nixon ‘s Attempts

• Henry Kissinger– Special Assistant for national security affairs– Linkage• Improve relations with China and the Soviet Union

– Rekindled peace talks• Le Duc Tho

• Vietaminzation– Gradual withdrawal of troops– 25,000

More Turmoil

• Massacre at My Lai– Thought to destroy VC hideouts– More than 300 unarmed civilians– Denied by the army– Calley was convicted• Sentenced for life• 4 months

– 3 years of house arrest

Kent State• Invasion of Cambodia– Nixon did not notify Congress

• Protests– National Guard killed 4 students– Had no orders– Jackson State• 2 more students killed

Pentagon Papers

• Repealed Gulf of Tonkin Resolution• Daniel Ellsberg– Disillusioned Defense Dept. worker

• Privately opposed war, publically defended it• Contained details of deceitful actions• Creditability gap• The government had not been honest

U.S. Pulls Out of Vietnam• 1972– Nixon won election – Dropped his stance on N. Vietnam withdrawal– “peace is at hand”

• S .Vietnam refused– Nguyrn Van Thieu– “Christmas bombings”

• January 1973– Both sides agree to peace, and U.S. ended its direct

involvement – March- N. Vietnam invades the S. Vietnam– Nixon had assured help, but had resigned – Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City

Cost of War• 150 Billion in direct costs• Approx. 58,000 soldiers died• More than 300, 000 wounded• Around 1 million Vietnamese soldiers• Thousands of civilians– Chemicals

• Difficult to accept• War Powers Act– Inform Congress of any commitment abroad within 48

hours– Must withdraw after 60 days unless Congress approves

Increased cynicism about the government

Assignment• Read both songs• Deicide which one you want to focus on• Summarize what you think the song is about • Write a poem/song about the Vietnam war– Can be from either perspective– Take your time, be meaningful

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8TwMqpBeL4– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zY_cM0_6vA