Changes under Nixon, 1969-73 (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes
Changes under Nixon, 1969-73
Nixon's new approach to Vietnam
When Richard Nixon became president in 1969, he faced the challenge of getting America out of the Vietnam War while still preventing South Vietnam from falling to communism. Nixon developed several new strategies to achieve this difficult balance, fundamentally changing how America approached the conflict.
Nixon inherited a war that had already cost thousands of American lives and billions of dollars, with growing public opposition at home. His challenge was to find a way to end American involvement without appearing to admit defeat in the Cold War struggle against communism.
The Nixon doctrine
On 25th July 1969, President Nixon announced a major shift in American foreign policy known as the Nixon Doctrine. This new approach represented a significant change from previous presidents' strategies in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Key principles of the doctrine
The Nixon Doctrine established two main principles that would guide American involvement overseas. First, the United States would continue to honour its existing commitments to allies and provide support against nuclear threats from communist countries. However, the nature of this support would be very different from before.
Second, and most importantly, America would now focus on providing financial assistance and military training rather than sending combat troops. This marked a major departure from the heavy military involvement that had characterised the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
Public reaction in America
American public opinion was deeply divided about this new approach. Some citizens supported the doctrine because it seemed to offer a way to continue supporting anti-communist allies without the heavy cost in American lives. Others wanted a complete and immediate withdrawal from Vietnam, believing any continued involvement was wrong.
Vietnamisation policy
What vietnamisation meant
The centrepiece of Nixon's strategy was a policy called Vietnamisation. This involved gradually transferring the responsibility for fighting from American forces to the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). Nixon wanted to withdraw US troops while maintaining the appearance that America had not been defeated in the war.
How vietnamisation was supposed to work
Under this policy, the South Vietnamese military would take over more of the actual fighting, reducing the number of American casualties. The US government shifted its focus to sending money, military equipment, and advisers rather than combat soldiers. The goal was to ensure South Vietnam remained independent and non-communist, which would allow America to claim success in its Cold War objectives.
Why vietnamisation failed
Critical Failure of Vietnamisation
Despite Nixon's hopes, Vietnamisation ultimately proved unsuccessful for several reasons:
- Inadequate preparation: American training and equipment were not sufficient to prepare the ARVN for the level of fighting required
- Lack of experience: The South Vietnamese forces lacked the experience and resources needed to effectively take over from the Americans
- Internal problems: The ARVN suffered from serious internal problems including widespread corruption and high rates of desertion
- Lack of legitimacy: Many South Vietnamese soldiers were unwilling to risk their lives for a government they saw as corrupt and illegitimate
American troop withdrawal
The withdrawal process
Most Americans wanted their troops to return home, and Nixon began withdrawing forces from 1968 onwards. However, this gradual withdrawal created serious problems for the remaining American soldiers in Vietnam.
Impact on military effectiveness
Breakdown in Military Discipline
Once soldiers knew they would soon be leaving Vietnam, their motivation to fight decreased dramatically. The consequences included:
- Troops trying to avoid dangerous combat situations
- Some soldiers killing their own officers to prevent being ordered into risky battles
- Widespread drug use among American forces
- Overall undermining of military effectiveness during the crucial transition period
This breakdown in discipline and morale made the remaining American forces less effective at supporting the South Vietnamese military during the transition period.
Military operations under Nixon
Expansion into Cambodia and Laos
Despite the focus on withdrawal, Nixon actually expanded the war into neighbouring countries. In 1970, he sent US troops into Cambodia to prevent North Vietnamese forces from using it as a base to support communist rebels there.
This action created significant public hostility in America, as many saw it as an escalation rather than a wind-down of the war. The expansion into Cambodia seemed to contradict Nixon's promises of de-escalation and withdrawal.
This action created significant public hostility in America, as many saw it as an escalation rather than a wind-down of the war. Congress was outraged and cancelled the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which had given previous presidents broad powers to conduct military operations in Southeast Asia. Congress also reduced funding for the war and demanded faster troop reductions.
In 1971, the USA provided air support for a South Vietnamese invasion of Laos, again aimed at stopping the spread of communism. However, there was intense fighting between North and South Vietnamese soldiers in Laos, and the South Vietnamese forces performed poorly, raising further doubts about their ability to defend themselves after American withdrawal.
Bombing campaign against North Vietnam
In April 1972, Nixon launched a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam, targeting all areas of the country. American planes dropped mines into Haiphong harbour to prevent military supplies from China and the Soviet Union from reaching North Vietnam by sea.
The bombing campaign destroyed radio and communication systems throughout North Vietnam and severely damaged their war industry. This intensive bombing led to diplomatic pressure from the USSR and China, who called for North Vietnam to sign a peace agreement to end the conflict.
Timeline of key events
Key Events in Nixon's Vietnam Strategy (1969-1972)
- July 1969: Nixon announces the Nixon Doctrine
- 1968 onwards: American troop withdrawal begins
- 1970: US troops attack Cambodia
- 1971: US provides air support for South Vietnamese invasion of Laos
- April 1972: Intensive bombing campaign against North Vietnam begins
Key Points to Remember:
- Nixon's strategy combined withdrawal with continued support - he wanted to get American troops out while preventing communist victory
- The Nixon Doctrine marked a shift from military intervention to financial and training support
- Vietnamisation failed because South Vietnamese forces were not ready to take over the fighting effectively
- Troop withdrawal damaged American military effectiveness as soldiers lost motivation to fight
- Nixon actually expanded the war into Cambodia and Laos despite the focus on withdrawal
- The 1972 bombing campaign was designed to force North Vietnam into peace negotiations