However, from its inception, the South Vietnamese state struggled with legitimacy issues, plagued by political corruption, military coups, and a lack of genuine popular support. Facing domestic political pressure and a desire to end decades of conflict, the US Congress severely curtailed military aid to South Vietnam in the mid-1970s.
The US Withdrawal and South Vietnam's Fate After 1973
This strategy aimed to gradually transfer the burden of fighting to South Vietnamese forces while withdrawing US troops. Simultaneously, the Soviet Union and China continued to supply the North Vietnamese, creating a critical imbalance in resources and resolve.
The ARVN, though initially struggling, managed to hold its ground with crucial US air support. These accords formally ended US involvement and promised a ceasefire, leaving the ARVN in control of the territory it currently held, but relying heavily on continued US military aid to maintain its position.
The US Withdrawal and the Fate of South Vietnam
As fuel, ammunition, and spare parts dwindled, the morale and fighting capability of the ARVN plummeted. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of direct US combat involvement, President Richard Nixon initiated the policy of "Vietnamization" in the early 1970s.
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