New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Peace negotiations to end the Vietnam War, 1968-1972
I can describe features of the peace negotiations and give reasons for their failure.
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Peace negotiations to end the Vietnam War, 1968-1972
I can describe features of the peace negotiations and give reasons for their failure.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Johnson began negotiations in 1968, but little to no progress was made.
- Nixon began secret negotiations with North Vietnam when he became president in 1969.
- A breakthrough in the secret negotiations happened in 1972, but South Vietnam refused to accept the draft peace treaty.
- War continued whilst negotiations were ongoing, through actions like the Easter Offensive and Operation Linebacker II.
Keywords
Delegate - a delegate is a person sent to a meeting or conference to represent others
Negotiation - a negotiation is a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement
Common misconception
Allies are open and honest with each other, as friends should be.
Countries break alliances frequently and regularly act against the interests of long-time allies.
Task B can be adapted to include a class discussion. Ask students to argue whether they think engaging in secret talks was the correct move in the situation or not.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
Complete the sentence: the US policy of withdrawing troops and transferring responsibility for the war to the government of South Vietnam was known as .
Q2.
What was the name of the route that enabled North Vietnam to send troops and supplies to South Vietnam?
Emperor Bao Dai Path
Le Duc Tho Road
Ngo Dinh Diem Way
Q3.
Match the country to the action taken by the US.
invaded in Mar 1970, ground troops travelled 19 miles inside territory
air support provided for ARVN invasion in Feb 1971
Q4.
Choose the groups who opposed American involvement in Vietnam.
conservatives in the South and Midwest
Hard Hats
Q5.
Choose groups who supported US involvement in Vietnam. The names of some groups will give you clues about their views on the war.
the Indochina Peace Campaign
Another Mother for Peace
American Deserters Committee
Q6.
What did Nixon mean when he referred to the 'silent majority'?
People are quiet when they are in a group.
Most people don't like speaking in public.
There were more capitalists around the world than communists.
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
Which president first began peace negotiations with North and South Vietnam?
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Nixon
Q2.
Which president began secret peace negotiations with North Vietnam?
Q3.
Match the person to their role in the peace negotiations.
main US negotiator
main North Vietnamese negotiator
South Vietnamese president
Q4.
What name was given to the massive North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam in late March 1972?
Q5.
How did Nixon respond to the North Vietnamese attack of late March 1972?
He pulled out of the peace negotiations.
He sulked about it privately but said nothing in public.
He was not particularly concerned about it.
Q6.
Why did the South Vietnamese president refuse to sign the draft peace treaty in October 1972?
He disagreed with some of the wording of the treaty.
He felt that South Vietnam could still win the war.
He wanted more support from the US before signing.
Additional material
Download additional material