Chapter 14: Vietnamisation, Nixon Flashcards
What did Nixon promise upon taking office in January 1969?
“I’m not going to end up like LBJ. I’m going to stop that war, fast”.
What were Nixon’s aims upon taking office in January 1969?
He wanted ‘peace with honour’ with Vietnam: ensuring that South Vietnam remained an independent, non-communist state. USA’s credibility as a global power was under threat due to its inability to achieve a military victory.
What was Johnson’s policy?
Americanisation. It had failed and so Nixon ended it.
What was Nixon’s policy of ‘Vietnamisation’?
The withdrawl of US forces and their replacement by South Vietnamese. Focused on US withdrawl, but also strengthening power of South Vietnam military machine.
What were the aims of Nixon’s policy of Vietnamisation?
Strengthen his negotiation power with North Vietnam, hoped this would convince them that SV was secure against any threats from them, and showed the US was willing to withdraw, fulfilling fundamental objective of the North Vietnamese.
How did Nixon undermine his policy of Vietnamisation?
Invasion of Loas and Cambodia.
What did the US do to aid the South Vietnam forces?
Poured more resources into South Vietnam forces, they were paid ore, career structures improved, benefits increased and service conditions modernised. Equipment updated, increase in weapons including military vechiles and planes.
How did the membership of the ARVN increase?
1968 in 82,000 to 1 million in 1970.
What impact did Vietnamisation have on the SV military force?
Seemed to transform it into an effective fighting force, able to preserve stability in South Vietnam and resist North aggression. However, morale of ARVN remained low and relatively high casualty rates reinforced this, corruption and favouritism not resolved. They were still dependent on US, Secondary role to US forces.
What was the overall outcome of Vietnamisation?
Had some positive outcmes domestically for Nixon, but did little to strengthen the USA’s scheme of ‘Peace with Honour’.
What was the test of Vietnamisation?
In 1972, North Vietnam launched Spring Offensive, critical test of Vietnamisation. ARVN resisted it, suffered 800 casualties but North suffered almost 5x as much.
How did the US support the ARVN in 1972?
Operation Linebacker1 saw 150,000 tons of bombs dropped on NV, and also US bombed NV troops who were operating in South. Boosted morale and indicated to NV that South Vietnam and allies had not reduced efforts, not backing down.
