Vietnamization

The name given to President Richard Nixon's policy of gradually returning the primary responsibility for conducting the war to the South Vietnamese. As U.S. troops withdrew, South Vietnamese forces were increased in size and recieved additional training and equipment. Southern forces focused on both offensive operation and defensive measures taken to protest villages.

Vietnamization was used to encourage the South Vietnamese to take more responsibility for fighting the war. It was hoped that this policy would eventually enable the United States to withdraw gradually all their soldiers from Vietnam.

by Dancing with Fire June 30, 2011