Vietnamization: An interdisciplinary study of Nixon administration decision making

This dissertation examines the decision and policy-making processes that led to the implementation of Vietnamization in Richard Nixon's first presidential term. By addressing interdisciplinary scholarly issues that stand at the forefront of academic and historiographical debate, this study, using Vietnamization as a catalyst, carefully reviews the principles behind the policy, the role of each decision maker, the timing of the decision, the process that led to Vietnamization's implementation, and the impact of the policy on the 1968 and 1972 U.S. presidential elections. This dissertation concludes that Vietnamization was a political decision. It was born in the campaign of 1968; was largely formulated by politicians; was actuated by intense domestic pressure; failed to endorse military considerations; was decided within an isolated, domestic, politically influenced decision-making structure; was utilized as a forward-looking political tool aimed at augmenting public opinion; and was arguably as important as any other factor in ensuring Nixon's reelection in 1972.