Archive | The withdrawal of the last American soldiers heralds the end of the Vietnam War
On March 29, 1973, the last American soldiers withdrew from Vietnam.
On March 29, 1973, the last soldiers of the American army withdrew from Vietnam. This disengagement hastened the outcome of a conflict that lasted more than two decades. Radio-Canada reports explain the evolution and conclusion of this landmark event of the 20th century.
“Finally, the negotiations were successful. These are the Paris agreements signed in 1973. »
— Le 60
Excerpt from the program Le 60 in which we talk about the events that led to the Paris Agreement of January 27, 1973.
January 27, 1973, as this excerpt from the program Le 60 reminds usOn April 14, 1975, the delegations of the United States, the governments of North and South Vietnam, as well as the communist guerrillas of the National Front of South Vietnam (Viet Cong), approved armistice agreements in Paris.
These agreements provide for the disengagement of the United States by the withdrawal of its soldiers from Vietnamese territory, which must be completed on March 29, 1973.
The American and Viet Cong prisoners are released and the bombing of North Vietnam ceases.
The extract, moreover, highlights the appalling toll in human life and suffering of this armed confrontation.
Before the signing of the Paris agreements, there were already more than one and a half million American and Vietnamese soldiers killed during this war. In addition, there were two million wounded.
The Vietnam War also cost US taxpayers $140 billion.
The Paris Accords will become decisive in the victory of North Vietnam and the conclusion of a conflict that will have lasted more than two decades.
From 1858 to 1954, Vietnam was part of the French colony called Indochina.
Vietnam won its independence during a colonial war that ended in the Geneva Accords in July 1954.
Despite this victory, the guns are not silent in Vietnam.
Extract from the program Le 60 which summarizes the main stages of the Vietnam War.
This other extract from the program Le 60, broadcast on 14 April 1975, summarizes the main stages of what is designated between 1955 and 1975 as the Vietnam War.
The Geneva Accords of July 1954 confirm the independence of Vietnam. But this independence is accompanied by a division of its territory into two countries which almost immediately become enemy brothers.
The Democratic Republic of North Vietnam is supported by the Soviet Union and Communist China.
The Republic of South Vietnam is, for its part, supported by the United States and Western countries.
From the end of 1955, South Vietnam tried to repel the attempts of the North and the Communist Viet Cong guerrillas, to defeat it militarily and to swallow it.
This excerpt from the show Le 60explains how the United States gradually became embroiled in the Vietnam conflict.
The United States inscribed this conflict in the anti-communist logic of the Cold War.
Washington's objective is to avoid a defeat of South Vietnam which would cause a chain reaction that would see the countries of Southeast Asia fall into the hands of the Communists.
The American presence is increasingly felt during the administration of President Kennedy (1961-1963).
The Johnson administration (1963-1969), meanwhile, intensified American involvement in this war.
Between 1965 and 1969, the American army took over most of the effort against North Vietnam.
It was during this period that the greatest deluge of bombs, chemical weapons and certain massacres took place which ravaged the civilians and the territory of North Vietnam.
In January 1968, the so-called surprise Tet (New Year) offensive by the combined forces of North Vietnam and Viet Cong against South Vietnam took place.
The success of this military campaign destroys the American illusion that a quick victory is possible in Vietnam.
When the Nixon administration (1969-1974) succeeded that of President Johnson, a new objective took priority: to obtain peace in honor.
This objective is accompanied by massive bombardments in Cambodia and Laos to destroy the bases of the Viet Cong installed in these two neighboring countries.
The Americans begin secret negotiations with their Vietnamese enemies in the same breath, which will lead to the Paris Accords in January 1973.
The Paris Accords and the withdrawal of American soldiers give impetus to the Vietnamese communist forces.
Excerpt summarizing the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975. Normand Harvey narrates the show.
As this excerpt from The Year in Review 1975 broadcast on December 30, 1975, shows, North Vietnam and the Viet Cong guerrillas seized gradually from the territory of South Vietnam.
On April 30, 1975, the end came.
The pro-Western regime in South Vietnam collapsed. It's a general scramble for the elites and members of the government.
Several images in the extract show scenes of infernal chaos in Saigon, the capital of the South Vietnam.
The United States evacuates in disaster its diplomatic personnel and its soldiers who are hiding in their embassy.
The images of this chaotic evacuation will haunt Americans for many years.
For almost 20 years, the memory of the Vietnam War will prevent the establishment of a dialogue between the United States and a reunited Vietnam.
It was not until 1994 that the United States lifted the trade embargo against reunified Vietnam.
In 1995 , the two countries agree to renew diplomatic relations.
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