This discussion addresses the following outcome:
Analyze President Nixon's approach to US involvement in Vietnam from 1969-1973.
Richard Nixon's disposition was well-known to policymakers and other political insiders for years. During and after the Watergate crisis, the general public became well-acquainted with Nixon's penchant for secrecy and suspicion. In this activity, we will consider Nixon's personality and his approach to the US-Vietnam War.
Historians and the public writ large have learned quite a bit about Richard Nixon's personality and beliefs in the years since his death.
The "Nixon tapes" contain a great deal of information regarding Nixon's administration's approach to the war.
Prior to completing this discussion activity, be sure to complete all Module 7 readings and to view/listen to the Module 7 Notes Presentation
. Also, be sure to listen to or read the recorded telephone conversation
( between Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger (written transcript.
Once you have done these things, craft an initial response that addresses each of the following questions in at least 250 words:
If you were to choose three words to describe Nixon's personality, which three words would you choose and why?
If you were to choose three words to describe Nixon's approach to the US-Vietnam War, which three words would you choose and why?
Based upon this week's readings and the recorded telephone conversation between Nixon and Kissinger, do you believe that Nixon's insistence on "peace with honor" constrained his policy options?
Was "peace with honor" an attainable objective for the US by 1973? Why or why not?