Peace Negotiations

What was the role of peace negotiations at the end of the Vietnam War?

These were the discussions that took place before the Paris Peace Accords that ended the Vietnam War.

What was the background to the peace negotiations for the end of the Vietnam War?

President Nixon promised to end the war in his election campaign of 1968. He started talks with China and the USSR to try to end the Vietnam War. North Vietnam worried they wouldn't be able to continue fighting without their allies, so in 1970 they agreed to talks with the US.

What were America's demands in the negotiations to end the Vietnam War?

President Johnson had mentioned, as early as April 1965, that the USA would negotiate at any time, but that an independent South Vietnam must be guaranteed.

What were the North Vietnamese demands in the negotiations for the end of the war in Vietnam?

They wanted a united Vietnam to be part of any peace talks, and they expected a communist government to be elected.

What happened when talks began between the USA and North Vietnam for the war to end?

Following the 1968 Tet Offensive, both sides decided to hold talks in Paris, but they simply stated their previous positions.

Why was the USA under pressure to negotiate the end of the war in Vietnam?

There were 2 important reasons why the USA was under pressure to end the war in Vietnam.

• ❖ Opposition to the war was increasing.
• ❖ Congress had cut funding.

What happened during the negotiations for end of the Vietnam War?

There were 3 main steps to the negotiations.

• ❖ On 8th October 1972, the USA and North Vietnam reached an agreement.
• ❖ President Thieu of South Vietnam refused to sign, because he had been left out of the talks in Paris.
• ❖ North Vietnam accused the USA of using Thieu's refusal as an excuse to back out of the agreement.

What were the consequences of the negotiations for the end of the Vietnam War?

There were 4 important consequences to the negotiations to end the Vietnam War.

• ❖ The talks broke off.
• ❖ Nixon promised President Thieu weapons, supplies and aid, if he would attend the talks.
• ❖ Nixon asked China and the USSR to persuade the North to return to the talks.
• ❖ Talks resumed on 8th January, 1973.