Changing US policy in Vietnam, 1969-1972
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the USA's changing policy in Vietnam and how it affected public opinion towards the war.
Key learning points
- Nixon attempted a change in policy in Vietnam in order to reduce US involvement.
- The change in policy had mixed results and led to an expansion of the war.
- US public opinion towards the war was mixed, although the popularity of the war declined overall as it wore on.
Keywords
Vietnamisation - Vietnamisation was the US policy of withdrawing troops and transferring responsibility for the war to the government of South Vietnam
Public opinion - public opinion refers to the popular view in society about a particular issue
Veteran - a veteran is a person who has served in the armed forces
Common misconception
Nixon was the only president who wanted to remove US troops from Vietnam.
Kennedy and Johnson wanted the same, but, like Nixon, found themselves getting more involved in order to prop up the South Vietnamese govt.
Teacher tip
Adapt the exam-style questions to fit your class: if you know that your students struggle with a particular question type then change one of the questions on the slide deck to fit that particular question type.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Across the country, how many people took part in the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam demonstrations in 1969?
Q2.Complete this sentence: Nixon publicly stated that demonstrations would have no effect on him because 'policy made in the streets equals __________'.
Q3.How do we know that many American people liked Nixon's 'Silent Majority' speech?
Q4.What does 'patriotism' mean?
Q5.Complete the sentence with a fraction: more than 100 people were injured in the Hard Hat Riot, roughly of them women.
Q6.What two gifts were presented to President Nixon by the leaders of the Hard Hats?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does 'popular opinion' mean?
Q2.Place the events relating to Vietnamisation in chronological order.
Q3.Which two of the following were reasons why some Americans opposed the war in Vietnam?
Q4.Complete the sentence: many Americans supported the war in Vietnam because they did not want America to look __________.
Q5.How did public opinion towards the war change as the war went on?
Q6.Roughly how many Vietnam veterans publicly opposed the war?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Changing US policy in Vietnam, 1969-1972, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Changing US policy in Vietnam, 1969-1972, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.