Wanting Out

Episode Nineteen covers demands in America that we get out of Vietnam. February '69, Nixon is sworn in as president. He sets about trying to build a national consensus on the war and what we should do, he ignores the protesters. North Vietnam continues with the same policy and pushes another 100,000 troops into the south. Nixon proposes that both sides withdraw their troops within a year, there is no agreement. Nixon writes directly to Ho Chi Minh proposing a settlement and withdrawal in four months, Ho's reply was to rebuff Nixon, Ho believes that he is winning the war and doesn't need an agreement on withdrawal. Ho Chi Minh dies four weeks later. US forces advance in Vietnam, protests erupt all over the country. May '70, Kent State University, National Guard Troops open fire on protesters, four students die from the gunfire. America is divided as never before.