Post on 05-Jan-2016
REASONS FOR US DEFEAT
SOLDIERS
Morale was low in the army Soldiers were conscripted at a very young
age Inexperienced, usually sent back to US after a
short time This meant soldiers in Vietnam were always
inexperienced. Soldiers were also not committed, there was
not much of an incentive.
LEADERSHIP
US military leaders were incompetent and had no experience in Vietnam
Couldn’t utilise US troops effectively High rank officers were constantly replaced
Poor leadership Overall, leadership in the US army was poor
during the war
AIRPOWER
The US used: Helicopters B52s Spy planes
These were used for carpet bombing, airlifting, dropping supplies and acquiring enemy positions.
There was a measure of success, but it was expensive and it also just strengthened the Vietnamese army’s resolve
PUBLIC OPINION
The first TV war The media showed the true nature of the war
to the general public Atrocities in My Lai, etc. were shown Exposed cruelty of American tactics
Showed taxpayers what they were paying for Stimulated peace protests, increased dove
influence.
BODY COUNT
North Vietnam: 1.1 million dead 600000 wounded
US: 58,193 killed 150000+ wounded
South Vietnam: 2500000 killed
The sheer amount of casualties increased dove influence on the home front
Troops were embarrassed at the slaughter, morale lowered.
DOMINO THEORY
The union between the USSR and China did not exist
This was confusing for the US who thought they were allied
Thought Vietnam was part of great “communist conspiracy”
TECHNOLOGY
Too much faith in modern technology This was ineffective against guerilla tactics of
north Vietnamese. Influenced public opinion – they questioned
whether the war was morally right High cost for advanced equipment, but at
little benefit to the war effort
CONCLUSION
The war was broadcast on TV and the media exposed the truth in the US war effort
Tax payers lost faith in the US ability to win the war
Peace movements among many groups in the US joined in protest against the war