Reasons to why America lost the war in Vietnam
The United States entry and participation in the Vietnam War soon became regretted and resented in America, especially near the end of the war. It was seen as the most problematic war in American history. Americans protested back at home, starting a nationwide debate over their nation's participation in the Vietnam War. As the war progressed, American citizens grew dissatisfied about America's war policy. Some called 'doves' argued that the United States had no right join the Vietnam War as it was a civil war, some demanded that the U.S Military should be removed immediately. Others who were described as 'hawks', argued that the U.S Military fight against the Vietnamese at the best of their ability to quickly win. The anti-war movement was an organization made up of different people, including students, far-leftists, trade unionists, businessmen and religious groups. National newspapers such as the New York Times were also included. President Lyndon Johnson's involvement when he ordered the 'Operation Rolling Thunder' , caused more rage back home about the war. Some critics argued about the way American's used their bombing and artillery were to harsh as the tragic result of the amount of innocent Vietnamese civilians had died, and how they died, including circumstances such as Agent Orange and the air war bombing. With the Vietnam War being the first televised war, casualties were announced every night on the news, bringing more worries to the already distraught parents of the soldiers and loved ones. Everybody was able to witness the war as it progressed. Having access to see the photographs, videos and opinion of American journalists, soon turned the American public against the war. Incidents like Tet gradually turned more people against the war, also with the climbing death toll at 10,000 in 1967, this was also a major influence also on the dissatisfied American opinions. Especially after the My Lai Massacre in 1968, Americans began to wonder if they were still considered the "good guys" in war. By 1971, 70% of Americans felt that the Vietnam War was wrong. It is now said, if the planners in Washington discussed the Vietnam War more before bringing the U.S Military involved, it could have saved many lives, money and this brutal war from occurring.
Rational behind U.S involvement in the Vietnam War
Initially, the U.S.A had decided to join war as during the 1950's the Domino Theory had evolved. This was created by John Foster Dulles, the America's Secretary of State. He believed that if one country was to fall into communism that soon the country next to it would fall into it, just like when a domino falls, the rest follow. He feared that America would fall into communism as it was spreading throughout the world, and the thought of Vietnam joining communism, meant that it spreading anymore would be unacceptable. So the American logic behind their involvement in the Vietnam War was to invade the Vietnam political system, although they had no right to interfere. They had already angered the Vietnamese when they began to step into power , that the original colonial, France had left behind. They decided to secure a settlement that would let the people of Vietnam create their own government, which didn't involve Communism. To do this, America would have to include some military assistance, but not take lives of innocent Vietnamese citizens, and not get China or the Soviet Union involved. They weren't so hung up on 'winning' but just directing their military towards the Viet Cong, to get the the Republic of Vietnam stable politically and militarily. By 1954, when Communism had spread to North Vietnam, the United States were committed to stop Communism spreading anymore. So by December 1965, 150,000 American troops had landed in South Vietnam.
President Dwight Eisenhower created the South East Asia Treaty Organisation, also known as SEATO, which it's purpose being to stop the spread and influence of Communism. This Treaty was used for the President to create a new nation in South Vietnam, whilst the fighting still occurred in the North.
Reasons to why America pulled out of the war in Vietnam
The Vietnam War had a tremendous impact on America. Originally, the U.S Military was seen as the most powerful economic military force in the world. The Vietnam War altered the reputation of the army leaving them distraught. As well as the war affecting the soldiers and Americans mentally, the nation suffered financially as well. The war was costing the tax payer $150 billion and a poll found that 70% of Americans opposed to let their tax help fund for the war that disagreed with. President John Kennedy commented about the Viet Cong, "American military assistance cant conquer an enemy which is everywhere'. The American Government began to accept the fact that their nation were losing this war, while the citizens were still protesting about their soldiers were dying on foreign land of a country that didn't even threat their own. The post war statistics show that the ultimate human cost from both Vietnam and United States, counted to and estimated 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese soldiers , 200,000 South Vietnamese soldiers, and 58,000 U.S soldiers killed.
The Vietnam War began to end for the Americans when President Nixon in 1972, ordered the 'Christmas Bombing', which had North Vietnam distracted whilst America tried to convince the South to sign the Peace Treaty. In January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were passed and signed and this halted America's involvement in Vietnam. Nixon was the U.S President who subsequently led to the end of war. President Gerald Ford, from 1974 and 1977 cut off the funds for the war. It had already been promised by the previous President Nixon, but the Congress banned any more U.S involvement in 1975 in Vietnam , Laos and Cambodia when North Vietnam violated the treaty. To finalize America's involvement, on the day of April 23rd 1975, the current President, Gerald Ford announced that the war has ended, 'as far as America is concerned'. South Vietnam then immediately feel into North Vietnam communist, defeating the whole purpose of America's involvement in the Vietnam War in the first place.
The United States entry and participation in the Vietnam War soon became regretted and resented in America, especially near the end of the war. It was seen as the most problematic war in American history. Americans protested back at home, starting a nationwide debate over their nation's participation in the Vietnam War. As the war progressed, American citizens grew dissatisfied about America's war policy. Some called 'doves' argued that the United States had no right join the Vietnam War as it was a civil war, some demanded that the U.S Military should be removed immediately. Others who were described as 'hawks', argued that the U.S Military fight against the Vietnamese at the best of their ability to quickly win. The anti-war movement was an organization made up of different people, including students, far-leftists, trade unionists, businessmen and religious groups. National newspapers such as the New York Times were also included. President Lyndon Johnson's involvement when he ordered the 'Operation Rolling Thunder' , caused more rage back home about the war. Some critics argued about the way American's used their bombing and artillery were to harsh as the tragic result of the amount of innocent Vietnamese civilians had died, and how they died, including circumstances such as Agent Orange and the air war bombing. With the Vietnam War being the first televised war, casualties were announced every night on the news, bringing more worries to the already distraught parents of the soldiers and loved ones. Everybody was able to witness the war as it progressed. Having access to see the photographs, videos and opinion of American journalists, soon turned the American public against the war. Incidents like Tet gradually turned more people against the war, also with the climbing death toll at 10,000 in 1967, this was also a major influence also on the dissatisfied American opinions. Especially after the My Lai Massacre in 1968, Americans began to wonder if they were still considered the "good guys" in war. By 1971, 70% of Americans felt that the Vietnam War was wrong. It is now said, if the planners in Washington discussed the Vietnam War more before bringing the U.S Military involved, it could have saved many lives, money and this brutal war from occurring.
Rational behind U.S involvement in the Vietnam War
Initially, the U.S.A had decided to join war as during the 1950's the Domino Theory had evolved. This was created by John Foster Dulles, the America's Secretary of State. He believed that if one country was to fall into communism that soon the country next to it would fall into it, just like when a domino falls, the rest follow. He feared that America would fall into communism as it was spreading throughout the world, and the thought of Vietnam joining communism, meant that it spreading anymore would be unacceptable. So the American logic behind their involvement in the Vietnam War was to invade the Vietnam political system, although they had no right to interfere. They had already angered the Vietnamese when they began to step into power , that the original colonial, France had left behind. They decided to secure a settlement that would let the people of Vietnam create their own government, which didn't involve Communism. To do this, America would have to include some military assistance, but not take lives of innocent Vietnamese citizens, and not get China or the Soviet Union involved. They weren't so hung up on 'winning' but just directing their military towards the Viet Cong, to get the the Republic of Vietnam stable politically and militarily. By 1954, when Communism had spread to North Vietnam, the United States were committed to stop Communism spreading anymore. So by December 1965, 150,000 American troops had landed in South Vietnam.
President Dwight Eisenhower created the South East Asia Treaty Organisation, also known as SEATO, which it's purpose being to stop the spread and influence of Communism. This Treaty was used for the President to create a new nation in South Vietnam, whilst the fighting still occurred in the North.
Reasons to why America pulled out of the war in Vietnam
The Vietnam War had a tremendous impact on America. Originally, the U.S Military was seen as the most powerful economic military force in the world. The Vietnam War altered the reputation of the army leaving them distraught. As well as the war affecting the soldiers and Americans mentally, the nation suffered financially as well. The war was costing the tax payer $150 billion and a poll found that 70% of Americans opposed to let their tax help fund for the war that disagreed with. President John Kennedy commented about the Viet Cong, "American military assistance cant conquer an enemy which is everywhere'. The American Government began to accept the fact that their nation were losing this war, while the citizens were still protesting about their soldiers were dying on foreign land of a country that didn't even threat their own. The post war statistics show that the ultimate human cost from both Vietnam and United States, counted to and estimated 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese soldiers , 200,000 South Vietnamese soldiers, and 58,000 U.S soldiers killed.
The Vietnam War began to end for the Americans when President Nixon in 1972, ordered the 'Christmas Bombing', which had North Vietnam distracted whilst America tried to convince the South to sign the Peace Treaty. In January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were passed and signed and this halted America's involvement in Vietnam. Nixon was the U.S President who subsequently led to the end of war. President Gerald Ford, from 1974 and 1977 cut off the funds for the war. It had already been promised by the previous President Nixon, but the Congress banned any more U.S involvement in 1975 in Vietnam , Laos and Cambodia when North Vietnam violated the treaty. To finalize America's involvement, on the day of April 23rd 1975, the current President, Gerald Ford announced that the war has ended, 'as far as America is concerned'. South Vietnam then immediately feel into North Vietnam communist, defeating the whole purpose of America's involvement in the Vietnam War in the first place.
