The phase of U.S. policy known as Vietnamization primarily involved which of the following?

• A. Increasing the use of air power
• B. Negotiating a cease-fire
• C. Transferring combat roles to South Vietnamese forces and reducing American troop levels
• D. Intensifying the ground war to force victory

Answer: (C)

Vietnamization centers on shifting the burden of combat from American troops to South Vietnamese forces while steadily withdrawing U.S. forces. The idea was to build up the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) through training, better equipment, and leadership responsibility so they could take the lead in ground operations as American troops reduced their presence. This approach allowed the United States to pursue a path toward peace and honor by decreasing its military stake while still applying pressure and supporting negotiations. Airpower and diplomacy remained part of the broader strategy, but the defining move was transferring combat roles to the ARVN and cutting American troop levels.