reasons for us failure in vietnam

• how did the strengths of north vietnam cause US failure?

  • the north had good geographical and cultural understandings.
  • citizens wanted vietnam to be reunited.
  • the north had good knowledge of the natural environment.
  • shared a language with the south.
  • the north expected full commitment to the war from each citizen.
  • children were given roles like carrying messages and training.
  • the north believed they were fighting for honour.
  • open political opposition to the north's government was not allowed.
• how did the support of the USSR cause US failure?

  north vietnam have financial aid from other communist countries.

  china and the USSR sent over $3 billion between 1954 and 1967.

  • from 1965, the USSR became the north's main source of economic aid.
• how did the support of china cause US failure?

  from the start of the war against the french, china gave technical and financial help to the north.

  • after the 1964 gulf of tonkin incident, the chinese increased support.
  • between 1965 and 1971, over 320 000 chinese troops were sent to the north.
• how did the vietcong cause US failure?

  • guerrilla tactics were difficult to undermine.
  • the VC were used to fighting in jungles and were well equipped.
  • strong commitment of the VC.
• how did the ho chi minh trail cause US failure?

  laos and cambodia allowed the trail to operate in their countries.

  it caused the usa difficulty as it was about 1000km long and some sections were made-up trails to trick the enemy.

  • the americans used biological weapons to deforest the jungle and expose the trail, but despite this the route kept going.
• how did american lack of knowledge and awareness cause the north to win?

  • vietnam was 'alien' to most US troops as they didn't know anything about the country.
  • many americans underestimated their enemy and held racist views.
  • US miliary leaders did not try understand the conflict from the viewpoint of vietnamese people which made them unpopular.
• how did american political and economic weakness cause the north to win?

  • for the first time the US fought a war without clear public agreement and war veterans wanted the war to stop.
  • media criticism about methods used.
  • US government ignored public opposition, but had to listen eventually as congress and the president relied on the public's votes.
  • when congress reduced funding, their was shortages of equipment for US soldiers.
• how did the failure of US tactics cause the north to win?

  • failed in its tactics of deploying more troops and bombing north vietnam.
  • over-estimated its success, basing calculations on how many they killed rather than how much territory they controlled.
  • young and inexperienced in guerrilla warfare, which led to low moral, fragging, drugs and alcohol.
• how did the US troops failure to win the vietnamese citizens hearts and minds cause the north to win?

  • the south vietnamese saw the usa as a foreign power interfering in their country.
  • it was also hated for its ties to france.
  • more local people sympathised with the vietcong and their ideas.
• what impact did opposition to the war have on the usa?

  divided society.

  • between the public and the government or armed services.
  • returning soldiers were faced with hostility and veterans could be targeted as 'baby killers'.
  • high suicide rate among returning soldiers; after ww2, veterans were treated as heroes, but returning from vietnam, veterans were treated as outcasts.
• what financial impact did opposition to the war have on the usa?

  US society was affected by the lack of resources.

  for example, johnson's 'great society' agenda which aimed to reduce racial divisions, lost money that was spent on the war.
• how did opposition the the war impact the usa?

  pressure on the government of anti-war movement.

  • usa's reputation was destroyed and the government was concerned that involvement abroad should not lead to similar problems.
  • by 1975, the whole of vietnam was communist so the war seemed pointless.
  • the public was feeling like people should be questioning the power of the government.