Vietnam War: An Introduction
The Vietnam War has left a major effect on the United States, although the war ended almost 30 years ago. During the war, though, many felt the Americans never won throughout the battle. However, in No More Vietnams by the late Richard Nixon, it states we did indeed win in 1973. Not many people know this since the fall of Saigon in 1975 seems to throw the notion of victory out the window.
Nixon felt the war was winnable, so he made five points in an attempt to end the war and gain peace. The five points are: Vietnamization, pacification, diplomatic isolation, peace negotiations, and gradual withdrawal. He thought most keenly in Vietnamization, an effort to train the South Vietnamese army. As a consequence, the army would be built up with help from the United States and would be able to defend itself. The United States could withdraw while supporting South Vietnam with financial aid to keep it strong. Thus, the South Vietnamese became more able to defeat the Vietcong.
From the political point of view, Nixon's administration stood firm with Hanoi, North Vietnam's center of operations. Hanoi felt the United States would lose support from Congress soon, so they decided to make their move into South Vietnam. Nixon verbally pointed out to Hanoi the United States would not concede defeat in making peace in Vietnam. The delegates of Hanoi tried to delay politically with the aim of moving their forces progressively. Consequently, the United States bombed the Vietcong armed forces. Hanoi went back to talking of peace in Vietnam. On January 27, 1973, peace accords were signed. An Assessment of Vietnam War
Twenty-five years ago on Sunday, the last helicopters took off from the roof of an apartment building near the U.S. embassy.............
