Why was the Vietnam War a misunderstanding?

Why was the Vietnam War a misunderstanding?

Both sides in the Vietnam War debate misunderstood the nature of the Vietnamese revolution because they failed to grasp Vietnamese leaders’ profound commitments to communism. As this debate continues today, the same misunderstandings are frequently found in the literature.

What led America and its politicians into the Vietnam conflict?

China had become communist in 1949 and communists were in control of North Vietnam. The USA was afraid that communism would spread to South Vietnam and then the rest of Asia. It decided to send money, supplies and military advisers to help the South Vietnamese Government.

What mistakes were made in the Vietnam War?

Starting from #10, here are the top 10 mistakes in the Vietnam War.

  • #9: Treating Vietnam like the Korean War.
  • #8: Cutting the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
  • #7: Using conventional tactics to fight against guerrilla warfare.
  • #6: Sanctioning the Coup and assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem.

What did the US do wrong in Vietnam?

Failures for the USA Failure of Search and Destroy (My Lai Massacre): Search and Destroy missions were often based on poor military intelligence. The brutal tactics used by US troops often drove more Vietnamese civilians to support the Vietcong.

Was the Vietnam war a mistake?

For many who study foreign affairs, the Vietnam War was a tragic mistake brought about by U.S. leaders who exaggerated the influence of communism and underestimated the power of nationalism. In this view, Vietnam was neither a crime, a forfeit nor a tragic mistake. It was a proxy conflict in the Cold War.

Was the Vietnam War a success or failure?

Lyndon Johnson ordered the first real combat by American troops, and Richard Nixon concluded the war. Despite the decades of resolve, billions and billions of dollars, nearly 60,000 American lives and many more injuries, the United States failed to achieve its objectives.

Who were the participants in the Vietnam War?

Which Countries Were Involved in the Vietnam War?

  • France.
  • United States.
  • China.
  • Soviet Union.
  • Laos.
  • Cambodia.
  • South Korea and Other U.S. Allies.
  • Vietnam.

Who started Vietnam War president?

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the president at the start of the Vietnam War.

Was the Vietnam War a mistake?

Why was America unsuccessful in Vietnam?

America “lost” South Vietnam because it was an artificial construct created in the wake of the French loss of Indochina. Because there never was an “organic” nation of South Vietnam, when the U.S. discontinued to invest military assets into that construct, it eventually ceased to exist.

Was Vietnam a pointless war?

As the other answers have indicated, the Vietnam war was, to a very large extent, a pointless, costly failure. Starting with cost, the war, in inflation-adjusted dollars, carried a price tag of $738 billion, according to defense specialist Stephen Daggett.

Who was the leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War?

During the war with the United States, Giáp would retain his position as one of the chief military commanders in North Vietnam, overseeing the communist insurgency in the South and the activities of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces of the North, though these two were admittedly intertwined.

What did both advocates and critics of the Vietnam War get wrong?

What both advocates for and critics of the Vietnam War got wrong about North Vietnam: its radical commitment to communist revolution During the 20th century, anti-Western revolutions swept throughout Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Who was the leader of the Viet Minh?

General Võ Nguyên Giáp (August 25, 1911 – October 4, 2013) began as a founder of the Viet Minh, alongside Ho Chi Minh, and organized their military forces against the French in the 1940s. Giáp was the principal commander at the siege of Dien Bien Phu, and organized the stunning victory there which assured Vietnam its independence.

What was the myth about the Vietnam War?

Myth: Most American soldiers were addicted to drugs, guilt-ridden about their role in the war, and deliberately used cruel and inhumane tactics. The facts are: 91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served [Westmoreland] 74% said they would serve again even knowing the outcome [Westmoreland]

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