In 1972 the U.S.’s Henry Kissinger and Hanoi’s Le Duc Tho met decide the fate of South Vietnam. There was not a representative present from the Saigon government. Political pressure from the White Hou

South Vietnam had a few critical weaknesses. Dependence on the “camp follower economy,” which had also lost its American backbone created inflation crippled the country. Necessities like oil and rice were nearly unattainable. Unemployment had reached extreme levels as well. ARVN was not well organized. ARVN was responsible for defending every village in South Vietnam. This took troops away from crucial defense areas. ARVN was spread too thin. Corruption in the Saigon government hurt the south’s chances. The government was corrupt from the lowest village ranks to the president himself. Officers could purchase their rank, resulting in rich but incompetent leaders. Corrupt military personnel sold supplies on the black market and embezzled funds. Catholic politicians in Saigon organized public criticism. Instead of change, President Thieu resorted to repression. Increased repression doubled resistance. South Vietnam was falling apart without being attacked. ( McCoy)

se forced South Vietnamese President Thieu to sign the agreement. A cease-fire was declared in all parts of Vietnam. ( Bowman) Troop movement was prohibited for both sides. This meant that all 140,000 North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam would be allowed to stay. The agreement allowed for a respectable exit for the U.S. All U.S. ground troops were removed from Vietnam. North Vietnam released all American prisoners of war. The peace agreement was supposed to create a sovereign state in South Vietnam. The U.S. vowed to avenge any North Vietnamese dissention form the plan. The Paris Peace Conference of 1972 left South Vietnam in an awkward defensive position. North Vietnam did not intend to honor the agreement. The South’s fate was sealed. ( Bowman) ( McCoy)

ARVN’s move south to regroup and block communist forces was a disaster. Commanding officers were able to fly south. Their departure abandoned ARVN’s troops, leaving them without leadership. Thousands of soldiers and their

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