Vietnamization and Nixon doctrine 1973
Evidence :
Upon taking office in 1969, U.S. President Richard Nixon (1913-94) introduced a new strategy called Vietnamization that was aimed at ending American involvement in the Vietnam War (1954-75) by transferring all military responsibilities to South Vietnam. The increasingly unpopular war had created deep divisions in American society. Nixon believed his Vietnamization strategy, which involved building up South Vietnam's military strength in order to facilitate a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops, would prepare the South Vietnamese to take responsibility for their own defense against a Communist takeover and allow the U.S. to leave the conflict with its honor intact. In 1973, the U.S. negotiated a treaty with the North Vietnamese, withdrew American combat troops and declared the Vietnamization process complete. However, in 1975, South Vietnam fell to Communist forces.
Analysis:
Vietnamization was a policy created during the US involvement in Indochina like others such as the Domino Theory and the Eisenhower Doctrine. Vietnamization was Nixon's policy as he entered the office. Vietnamization was aimed at ending American involvement in the Vietnam War (1969-75) by transferring all military responsibilities to South Vietnam. The US war had become gradually un-favorable especially after Nixon ordered the bombings on Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. Nixon's Doctrine stated that the US would gradually leave South Vietnam giving enough time for them to gain military strength. All US troops did leave Vietnam and a cease-fire was signed but Vietnamization was unsuccessful leading to the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Upon taking office in 1969, U.S. President Richard Nixon (1913-94) introduced a new strategy called Vietnamization that was aimed at ending American involvement in the Vietnam War (1954-75) by transferring all military responsibilities to South Vietnam. The increasingly unpopular war had created deep divisions in American society. Nixon believed his Vietnamization strategy, which involved building up South Vietnam's military strength in order to facilitate a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops, would prepare the South Vietnamese to take responsibility for their own defense against a Communist takeover and allow the U.S. to leave the conflict with its honor intact. In 1973, the U.S. negotiated a treaty with the North Vietnamese, withdrew American combat troops and declared the Vietnamization process complete. However, in 1975, South Vietnam fell to Communist forces.
Analysis:
Vietnamization was a policy created during the US involvement in Indochina like others such as the Domino Theory and the Eisenhower Doctrine. Vietnamization was Nixon's policy as he entered the office. Vietnamization was aimed at ending American involvement in the Vietnam War (1969-75) by transferring all military responsibilities to South Vietnam. The US war had become gradually un-favorable especially after Nixon ordered the bombings on Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. Nixon's Doctrine stated that the US would gradually leave South Vietnam giving enough time for them to gain military strength. All US troops did leave Vietnam and a cease-fire was signed but Vietnamization was unsuccessful leading to the fall of Saigon in 1975.