How the U.S. Congress Forced the Surrenders of South Vietnam and Cambodia

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The Vietnam War was a long and bloody conflict that ultimately ended with the surrender of South Vietnam and Cambodia to communist forces. While the American public has long been aware of the role that the U.S. military played in the war, few people know that Congress also played a critical role in forcing the surrenders. In this article, we will explore the ways in which Congress contributed to the fall of South Vietnam and Cambodia.

An American Amnesia: How the US Congress Forced the Surrenders of South Vietnam and Cambodia

by Bruce Herschensohn

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4162 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	181 pages
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The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

One of the most significant events in the lead-up to the Vietnam War was the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution by Congress in 1964. This resolution gave President Lyndon Johnson broad authority to use military force in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war. The resolution was passed in response to two alleged attacks on U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, but many historians believe that these attacks were either exaggerated or fabricated.

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution had a profound impact on the course of the Vietnam War. It gave Johnson the authority to escalate the conflict without having to seek approval from Congress again. This led to a dramatic increase in the number of U.S. troops in Vietnam and a corresponding increase in the number of casualties.

The Anti-War Movement

As the Vietnam War dragged on, the American public grew increasingly disillusioned with the conflict. This disillusionment was fueled by a number of factors, including the high number of casualties, the lack of progress on the battlefield, and the growing realization that the war was unwinnable. The anti-war movement, which had been relatively small in its early stages, began to grow exponentially in the late 1960s.

The anti-war movement had a significant impact on the Vietnam War. It helped to raise public awareness of the war's costs and futility, and it put pressure on Congress to end the conflict. In 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Act, which limited the president's ability to wage war without congressional approval.

The Fall of South Vietnam

The fall of South Vietnam to communist forces in 1975 was a major turning point in the Vietnam War. The collapse of the South Vietnamese government was due to a number of factors, including the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the corruption and incompetence of the South Vietnamese government, and the military superiority of the North Vietnamese. However, Congress also played a role in the fall of South Vietnam.

In 1973, Congress passed the Case-Church Amendment, which prohibited the U.S. from providing any further military assistance to South Vietnam. This amendment was a major blow to the South Vietnamese government, which was heavily dependent on U.S. aid. The Case-Church Amendment effectively ended U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and paved the way for the eventual collapse of South Vietnam.

The Fall of Cambodia

The fall of Cambodia to communist forces in 1975 was another major turning point in the Vietnam War. The collapse of the Cambodian government was due to a number of factors, including the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the corruption and incompetence of the Cambodian government, and the military superiority of the Khmer Rouge. However, Congress also played a role in the fall of Cambodia.

In 1973, Congress passed the Cooper-Church Amendment, which prohibited the U.S. from providing any further military assistance to Cambodia. This amendment was a major blow to the Cambodian government, which was heavily dependent on U.S. aid. The Cooper-Church Amendment effectively ended U.S. involvement in the Cambodian Civil War and paved the way for the eventual collapse of Cambodia.

Congress played a significant role in the fall of South Vietnam and Cambodia. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave President Johnson broad authority to escalate the Vietnam War without having to seek approval from Congress again. The anti-war movement helped to raise public awareness of the war's costs and futility, and it put pressure on Congress to end the conflict. The Case-Church Amendment and the Cooper-Church Amendment prohibited the U.S. from providing any further military assistance to South Vietnam and Cambodia, which effectively ended U.S. involvement in both conflicts.

The fall of South Vietnam and Cambodia was a tragedy for the people of those countries. It also had a profound impact on the United States. The war left a deep scar on the American psyche, and it led to a loss of faith in the government's ability to make wise decisions about foreign policy.

An American Amnesia: How the US Congress Forced the Surrenders of South Vietnam and Cambodia

by Bruce Herschensohn

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4162 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	181 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE