Why Did Nixon End The Vietnam War Essay

Nixon knew a military victory in Vietnam was no longer possible. He wanted to end the war as quickly and as soon as possible. He wrote that, “without continuous and massive aid from either or both of the Communist giants, the leaders of North Vietnam would not have been able to carry on the war for more than a few months.” He planned to conduct a two prong agenda to end the war; first by changing the relationships between the DRV, USSR, and China and second, by a massive expansion of the war to force the DRV into serious negotiations. Foreign policy matters dominated the Nixon administration throughout his tenure. He used arms control talks with the Soviets to pressure them into assisting with the de-escalation of the war in Vietnam. He also opened formal US relations with China in 1972 by traveling to Beijing for formal talks with Mao. The visit had three objectives, settle the Twain issues, end the
The DRV no longer could play the USSR against China and vis-versa. Both countries wanted positive normal relationships with the US and both countries altered their support for Dong’s government. The Paris Peace Accord was agreed to by all parties in January of 1973. American combat operations ended in August of 1973. The war itself continued to rage once again as a regional dispute between the sole combatants of North and South Vietnam. No longer did the USSR or China swing significant influence. There was a major reduction but not elimination of aid for their fellow communist countries but no longer did foreign troops assist the NVA. The US continued to pump money and military aid into the South but corruption plagued the government. The people were tired of war and were apathetic toward the cause and did not resist Northern aggression. In April of 1975, NVA units captured Saigon and the war was finally over. The late Ho achieved his dream of a reunified Vietnam under his communist