In 1969, President Richard M. Nixon authorized the use of nuclear weapons in Vietnam in order to secure a U.S. victory. Following the presidential order, nuclear warheads were used to destroy numerous important targets inside North Vietnam, as well as two key North Vietnamese cities. Following the nuclear strikes, which were heavily condemned worldwide, American and South Vietnamese troops launched a major offensive into North Vietnam and routed the North Vietnamese army. In the fall of 1969, North Vietnam sued for peace, and the country was reunited under the democratic government of South Vietnam.