Vietnamisation, 1969 (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note

Summary

President Richard Nixon was voted into power based on promises to end the draft to the army and to end Americans fighting in Vietnam. As victory seemed impossible, he had to find a way of withdrawing American soldiers from the fighting without admitting to a humiliating defeat. After setting out in the ‘Nixon Doctrine’ that America was no longer going to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia with its own combat troops, he introduced the policy of Vietnamisation. This placed the burden of fighting on South Vietnam and, although popular with American voters, was unsuccessful.

Ending the Vietnam War: The Nixon Doctrine, 1969

• Due to heavy criticism over the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson chose not to stand for reelection and President Richard Nixon entered the White House in 1969

  • Nixon had been elected after promising to deliver ‘Peace with honour’ in Vietnam

  • He’d also promised to end the calling up of Americans to the army - known as the draft

• Once president, he outlined his beliefs and approach when it came to supporting America’s allies in Southeast Asia

• This became known as the ‘Nixon Doctrine’ and stated:

  • America would continue to support its allies and retaliate if they came under nuclear attack

  • That support would no longer include American combat troops

What was Vietnamisation?

• Vietnamisation was the name given to Nixon’s policy of withdrawing American troops from combat roles and replacing them with Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops

• Nixon hoped this would allow him to reduce the number of US deaths without having to admit that America had lost the war

• He also hoped that American money and military advisors would be enough to maintain South Vietnam as a non-communist, independent American ally

The reaction to Vietnamisation

American Reactions to Vietnamisation

• It was popular with many members of the American public as fewer US soldiers were being killed in Vietnam

• US troops that were still in Vietnam were very demoralised as they were risking their lives for a war that America was no longer trying to win

• Drug use amongst US soldiers increased

South Vietnamese Reactions to Vietnamisation

• Many people in South Vietnam felt betrayed by Vietnamisation

• The withdrawal of thousands of American troops badly damaged the morale of the South Vietnamese

Why did Vietnamisation fail?

• Despite the extensive training and millions of dollars of donated weapons and equipment, Vietnamisation failed for the following reasons:

  • Many soldiers in the ARVN were not as committed or motivated to fight as their Vietcong counterparts

  • Corruption was widespread within South Vietnam and the ARVN

  • Many of the ARVN soldiers who had been drafted and rounded up by police to fight, deserted and went into hiding