reasons for the US defeat

Question 1

what were the weaknesses of the USA?

Answer 1

• they underestimated the vietcong and NVA
• US generals failed to counter guerilla warfare and over-relied on bombing
• many US troops were young, inexperienced and unmotivated due to conscription
• soldiers struggled with vietnam’s climate, terrain, and identifying enemies leading to tragic incidents
• ARVN soldiers fought well, but their officers were corrupt and incompetent
• the USA never won vietnamese support due to lack of understanding of the country
• the corrupt and brutal south vietnamese government further alienated the people
• US public support declined after events like the tet offensive and my lai massacre and kent shooting

Question 2

what were the strengths of the NVA and vietcong?

Answer 2

• guerilla tactics were very successful
• they refused to give in to US bombing - may have made them more determined to win
• they were given vital supplies and equipment by the USSR and China
• the communists received a lot of support from the people in the south
• the north vietnamese gov was prepared to accept very heavy casualties

Question 3

what were the consequences for the USA of its failure in vietnam?

Answer 3

• south vietnam was taken by north and became communist
• as the US had feared, communism spread to cambodia and laos but not thailand
• nixon announced end of truman doctrine - US lost hope in policy of containment and became hostile towards more military involvement abroad
• defeat in vietnam was a big blow to american pride. many were delighted to view the humiliating defeat of the superpower
• remembert the economic and social effects