Below is a sample opening paragraph, and some notes suggesting a possible direction for the essay.  These are simply suggestions to get you thinking, and not a model for the essay in any way - many of the points need research and consideration from you.  They may not all be relevant or necessary.  It will also be worth looking closely at the events of 1973 - see note below.
In withdrawing troops from Vietnam in 1973, President Nixon was completing the policy he began when he assumed office in 1969.  He had been elected on a platform of getting America out of Vietnam, and had started putting that promise into action with the policy of Vietnamisation.  This policy led to the gradual reduction of American troops over a period of years, with the withdrawal in 1973 being the culmination of this approach.  To understand why this happened, however, we need to know the pressures on the US executive - first Johnson, then Nixon - that led to such an outcome.


FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POLICY OF WITHDRAWAL

Domestic Front -

Protest Movement - caused by distress at images of war on nightly media; feeling that this was 'dirty war'; American soldiers were being changed (My Lai massacre); war is far away; personal feelings as many Americans lost friends and relatives; specific groups - black opposition, student opposition.

Media Reporting leading to perception that America was losing (e.g. Tet Offensive)

This puts pressure on presidency - Johnson doesn't stand again in 1968; Nixon stands on platform of getting out of war.


Domestic Front problems fueled by nature of war -

Difficulties faced by US troops against Vietcong
Tactics generating opposition - e.g. chemical warfare


WHY DID AMERICA WITHDRAW?

Combination of above factors

Some had more significant impact than others

In the end, America withdrew because she could not sustain the war effort in the face of the problems listed.  Troops were withdrawn in 1973 as a result of Nixon's determination to leave Vietnam, a policy he had put into effect four years earlier. 


FINAL POINT ABOUT 1973

Nixon by this time is becoming increasingly embroiled in the Watergate affair that would lead to his resignation in 1974.  What impact might this have had for the withdrawal of troops, remembering that Congress was severely curtailing the president's ability to wage war?


STRUCTURE OF ESSAY

Clear introduction - main body putting forward key points and analysing them in relation to the question - Conclusion that sums up essay.

Keep it analytical; sustain the analysis with accurate knowledge, concisely expressed.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1