The Widening of the War into Cambodia and Laos

What was the widening of the Vietnam War?

Despite President Nixon committing to the withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam in 1969, when he announced the policy of Vietnamisation, thousands more were sent to fight in the conflict as it expanded into neighbouring countries.

Where was the Vietnam War widened to?

The Vietnam War was widened to Cambodia, on the western border of South Vietnam, and to Laos, on the western border of North Vietnam.

When was the Vietnam War widened to Cambodia and Laos?

Nixon sanctioned a bombing campaign on Cambodia in March 1969, and an attack on Laos in early 1971.

Why was the Vietnam War widened to Cambodia and Laos?

The Vietnam War was widened to Cambodia and Laos in an attempt to weaken the Vietcong. The Ho Chi Minh Trail that supplied the Vietcong ran through both countries, and US forces also wanted to destroy Vietcong bases positioned just across the border in Cambodia.

What happened when the Vietnam War was widened to Cambodia?

The following happened when the war stretched into Cambodia:

• ❖ In March 1969, US air forces were authorised to carry out a bombing campaign targeting the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Vietcong bases.
• ❖ The bombing was kept secret as it was at odds with Nixon's policy of withdrawal and he wanted to avoid international condemnation.
• ❖ When the bombing campaign failed to achieve its objectives, a ground invasion of Cambodia was launched. Nixon announced a need for 150,000 more troops, which was met by a wave of protests.
• ❖ The US troops alienated the local population in Cambodia. A communist group called the Khmer Rouge saw its membership increase rapidly as a result, as the local peasants were convinced the USA planned to take over.

What happened when the Vietnam War was widened to Laos?

The following happened when the war widened into Laos:

• ❖ After extensive training under Nixon's policy of Vietnamisation, the ARVN was sent to carry out an attack on Ho Chi Minh's army in Laos.
• ❖ The ARVN was quickly pushed back into Vietnam.
• ❖ The ARVN's actions provoked a retaliatory attack on South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese army in the spring of 1972.
• ❖ The ARVN's attacks led to the Pathet Lao, a communist organisation in Laos, becoming more popular with the locals. By 1973, it controlled much of Laos.

What were the consequences of widening the Vietnam War to Cambodia and Laos?

The widening of the war in Cambodia and Laos had a number of consequences:

• ❖ The attacks further increased the need for US troops, which was unpopular with the American people.
• ❖ The attacks led to further protests across America.
• ❖ North Vietnamese troops attacked South Vietnam.
• ❖ It highlighted the failures of the policy of Vietnamisation.