AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Nixon's policies in Vietnam: Vietnamisation; extension into Cambodia and…
Full specification wording
2R The Cold War, c1945–1991 – Confrontation and cooperation, c1963–1972 (A-level only): Nixon's policies in Vietnam: Vietnamisation; extension into Cambodia and Laos; relations with China; the beginning of the Paris peace talks
Nixon’s strategy for 'peace with honour' centred on Vietnamisation: withdrawing US troops while training the South Vietnamese army to assume the combat burden.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Nixon’s strategy for 'peace with honour' centred on Vietnamisation: withdrawing US troops while training the South Vietnamese army to assume the combat burden. To disrupt communist supply lines and buy time, Nixon controversially extended the conflict by authorising secret bombings and incursions into neutral Cambodia (1970) and Laos (1971). Concurrently, Nixon pursued diplomatic leverage by improving relations with China, culminating in his 1972 visit, aiming to pressure Hanoi by isolating them from their communist backers. These military and diplomatic manoeuvres were designed to strengthen the US negotiating position at the Paris peace talks, which began in 1968 but required years of complex diplomacy to finally conclude.
What earns the marks
- Explain the dual nature of Vietnamisation: reducing US troop numbers while increasing the military capacity of the ARVN.
- Analyse the strategic rationale and domestic political fallout of extending the war into Cambodia and Laos to target the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
- Evaluate how Sino-US rapprochement was used by Nixon and Kissinger to pressure North Vietnam into concessions.
- Assess the difficulties encountered during the early stages of the Paris peace talks, including disagreements over the status of the Vietcong and bombing halts.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming Nixon started the Paris peace talks.
Put it right: Note that the Paris peace talks actually began under Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, though Nixon continued and concluded them.
Confusing the invasions of Cambodia and Laos as attempts to conquer new territory.
Put it right: Explain that these incursions were specifically targeted at destroying North Vietnamese sanctuaries and supply routes.
Assuming Vietnamisation was an immediate success.
Put it right: Highlight that while US casualties fell, the ARVN remained heavily reliant on US air support and struggled with morale and corruption.
Exam tips
- Link Nixon's military escalation in Cambodia and Laos directly to his diplomatic strategy at the Paris peace talks.
- Use the phrase 'peace with honour' to contextualise Nixon's overarching foreign policy goals in Southeast Asia.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Sino-US relations as a tool of 'linkage' diplomacy to isolate North Vietnam.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2R The Cold War, c1945–1991 – Confrontation and cooperation, c1963–1972 (A-level only): Nixon's policies in Vietnam: Vietnamisation; extension into Cambodia and Laos; relations with China; the beginning of the Paris peace talks lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary objective of President Richard Nixon's policy of 'Vietnamisation' introduced in 1969?
Listen
Nixon’s strategy for 'peace with honour' centred on Vietnamisation: withdrawing US troops while training the South Vietnamese army to assume the combat burden. To disrupt communist supply lines and buy time, Nixon controversially extended the conflict by authorising secret bombings and incursions into neutral Cambodia (1970) and Laos (1971). Concurrently, Nixon pursued diplomatic leverage by improving relations with China, culminating in his 1972 visit, aiming to pressure Hanoi by isolating them from their communist backers. These military and diplomatic manoeuvres were designed to strengthen the US negotiating position at the Paris peace talks, which began in 1968 but required years of complex diplomacy to finally conclude. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the dual nature of Vietnamisation: reducing US troop numbers while increasing the military capacity of the ARVN. Analyse the strategic rationale and domestic political fallout of extending the war into Cambodia and Laos to target the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Evaluate how Sino-US rapprochement was used by Nixon and Kissinger to pressure North Vietnam into concessions. Assess the difficulties encountered during the early stages of the Paris peace talks, including disagreements over the status of the Vietcong and bombing halts. A common slip: Claiming Nixon started the Paris peace talks. Instead, Note that the Paris peace talks actually began under Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, though Nixon continued and concluded them. Exam tip: Link Nixon's military escalation in Cambodia and Laos directly to his diplomatic strategy at the Paris peace talks.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Nixon visited China to improve relations
- 2. Paris peace talks began under Lyndon B. Johnson
- 3. Nixon authorised incursions into Laos
- 4. Nixon authorised secret bombings and incursions into Cambodia
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Vietnamisation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Paris peace talks
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
'peace with honour'
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Vietnamisation
- Withdrawing US troops while training the South Vietnamese army to assume the combat burden.
- Paris peace talks
- Talks which began in 1968 but required years of complex diplomacy to finally conclude.
- 'peace with honour'
- Nixon's strategy, centred on Vietnamisation, for ending the conflict.
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