Nixon & Domestic Relations
Military Culture
The Greater Cold War Impact
Nixon In Vietnam
Kissinger Abroad
100
How did Nixon justify the decision to the American public not to end the war immediately and bring the troops home? What plan of action did he propose instead?
He wanted to politically stabilize S. Vietnam so that a consistent timetable of withdrawal could be established.
100
What is fragging and was there a historical precedent to it?
a.Fragging was slang for the murder or attempted murder of a strict, unpopular or aggressive officer or NCO b. Yes, The first recorded instance of fragging was Jan. 1 1781 when Penn. Soldiers in the Continental army killed one of their captains
100
Why was the troop escalation, proposed 1969, not approved, according to the memorandum for Nixon by the Sec. of Def.?
US would not have sufficient military resources to sustain presence in other Cold War hot beds, such as North Korea and Germany. More troops would not secure victory.
100
In the Nixon Theiu meeting at Midway June 6, 1969, how many troops were to be withdrawn in the first drawdown?
One division or 25,000 troops
100
Why was Kissinger so adamant about gaining Thieu's agreement on negotiations if they could have easily just made a deal with the enemy, the North, and get their own interests out of a settlement?
He felt that the agreement he had made with the North was even better for the South than they had wanted with the exception of the the North still being in the South and more importantly he didnt get this agreement with Thieu from a political standpoint he would be eaten alive by public opinion.
200
Who did Nixon tell the American public should determine the S. Vietnamese's political future?
The South Vietnamese, because there should not be outside interference.
200
What were some of the beliefs printed in the underground newspapers on military bases?
a. “In Vietnam, the Lifers, the Brass, are the true Enemy, not the enemy” b. “Don’t desert. Go to Vietnam and kill your commanding officer”
200
What possible accidental international outcomes of the mining of NVN harbors could have occurred?
The agitated involvement of the Chinese or Soviets due to attack on their vessels. Mining is an act of war.
200
What were the three conditions determined by Theiu and Nixon would allow for further US withdraw?
1. Level of Vietnamese Soldier training. 2. Progress of Paris peace talks 3. Level of enemy activity
200
How did Kissinger personally justify the bombing in Cambodia in Rotter?
Not to expand the war at all but to avoid bombing the North in hopes of what Kissinger always preached, negotiations. Something had to be done to counter the North's recent offensive and stopping their violation of bases in Cambodia seemed reasonable
300
How did Nixon try to differentiate his war from Johnson's war?
Nixon wants to end the war, whereas Johnson wanted to win the war. Troop withdrawals based on a timetable; frequent peace talks; vietnamization.
300
What was the desertion rate per thousand troops by the end of the war and how did that compare to both previous wars and the beginning of Vietnam?
a. 52.3 per thousand b. Korea 22.5 per thousand c. 1966 rate 14.7 per thousand d. WWII 63 per thousand
300
According to Rotter, what was the primary reason of Nixon ordering another bombing in Cambodia in April 1969, and how does it represent the connectedness to the greater Cold War?
A retaliation of a downed aircraft in North Korea. Nixon personally linked Vietnam with other Cold War aggressions outside of S.E. Asia.
300
In a June 8, 1969-Discussion on relations between Theiu and Nixon, both leaders came to the conclusion that the Vietnam war could not be won militarily, what political steps did Theiu plan to implement?
-Elections -Incorporate the NLF into the political process as a separate political party. -Try to bolster support from moderate groups in S. Vietnam.
300
How had Kissinger changed American foreign policy in his pre-summit talks with the Soviets?
Nixon stated the war had shifted from a two man to a one man show. All orders Nixon gave of talking about Vietnam first was ignored by Kissinger who instead talked about summit issues like SALT I. It was only when the Soviets initiated it did they talk about Vietnam.
400
How did Nixon use vietnamization to pacify the American public?
As it became more successful, S. Vietnam was more stable and his speech on April 26th he announced that we were able to withdraw troops due to its success.
400
What are three aspects of the military that were at an all time low at this point in time and what is an example of this?
a. Morale, discipline and battle-worthiness b. Desertion rates very high, drug usage very high to escape pains of every day routine c. Separate companies were set up for men who refused to go out into the field. If he wanted to refuse an order, he simply had to pack and go visit a buddy at another base camp d. Operations became ragtag, many didn’t even put on uniforms any more.
400
What example from the reading illustrates Nixon’s attempt to use Moscow in the negotiations with NVN and what exactly do they exemplify in his overall Col War Policy?
-Meetings with Ambassador Dobrynin. -Nixon was beginning to use the Soviets as an in-between and recognized their ability to solve the problem, even though they were an alleged enemy. Beginning of warmer US-Soviet relations.
400
Theiu agreed with Nixon on that the Vietnamization policy was a viable policy in Vietnam. How would this policy be used/implemented?
-Troop replacements were to be used as a propaganda tool to show progress. -Local militia forces (popular front) were to be trained and used as placeholders, while regular forces maneuvered, they wanted to fight a mobile war. -Training of Vietnamese troops was to be bolstered and military equipment shipments were to be increased.
400
What was Nixon unhappy with Kissinger about directly regarding Vietnam and his views on negotiations?
The whole fact that he was so into negotiations and caught up in it with the Soviets. Nixon felt in some ways Kissinger thought it was more important to end the war rather than worry about achieving an honorable win in the war. Kissinger felt, according to Nixon, that even if Vietnam was a military defeat and failure they can still survive politically.
500
What examples in the readings illustrate Nixon's usage of domestic media to deliver messages to NVN?
His clear pressing for peace talks, negotiations, and speaking of the conditions that honorable peace would be achievable are blatantly expressed in his addresses to the nation.
500
What was the worst problem facing the military in terms of internal conflict and strife?
a. Racial tensions. White soldiers became increasingly afraid to enter barracks alone at night because of ‘head-hunting’ ambushes by blacks b. Officers were being struck openly in public by blacks soldiers c. Junior officers attacked at night while inspecting barracks d. Kelley Hill, a Fort Benning, Ga. Barracks area was full of these type of attacks, one soldier commented that ‘Kelley Hill may belong to the commander in the daytime but it belongs to the blacks after dark’
500
What were the possible international outcomes of the “Menu” campaign?
Due to the infringement on Cambodian sovereignty, the "Menu" campaign would be seen as act of war and could encourage Soviet and/or Chinese involvement.
500
In a Jan 5, 1973 Letter to Theiu from Nixon, Nixon implored Theiu to support US policy on negotiations with the North. What conditions were set forth to Theiu by Nixon which would result from his support or rejection?
-If Theiu supported the US policy, then the US would continue to funnel aid into South Vietnam and would react overwhelmingly to any North Vietnamese violation of any future agreements. -If Theiu would continue to resist supporting the US position, then all aid to South Vietnam would be cut off and US troops withdrawn.
500
What was the NSSM 1 and what did it do for the situation in Kissinger's view?
NSSM 1 was initiated by Kissinger in which he asked questions to all military advisers and advisers involved in Vietnam on what they should do in Vietnam Kissinger felt NSSM 1 simply bought the administration some time from criticism because they could say they were consulting experts when in reality Nixon/Kissinger already had their plan before this and just wanted to see how the bureaucracy felt
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