Why Did America Lose The War? US fail To Win Hearts And Minds

Question 1

Lack of understanding:

Answer 1

-Vietnam was a real culture shock for the US soldiers
-Failed to understand why communism was popular
-communists were ruthless - 1968, 3000 were killed by the communists

Question 2

Guerilla warfare:

Answer 2

-Guerilla fighters hide in a civilian population - made it difficult to identify the VC as it meant every civilian was a threat
-offensive language “gook/dink”
-poor treatment of civilians (My Lai Massacre 347 people killed)

Question 3

High tech war:

Answer 3

-napalm was used (dangerous and difficult to control so civilians often hit)
-1962 onward Agent orange (defoliant) which stripped leaves off trees mainly to find Ho Chi Minh trail (lead to cancer and destroyed crops)
-Cluster bombs (1 bomb containing 350-600 baby bombs. Often included fibre glass)

Question 4

Corruption:

Answer 4

-1/3 population forced to move to cities
-Massive rise in crimes (begging, orphans, sex work & drugs)
-dollar distorted economy (a waiter in a US bar could be payed even more than a Vietnamese doctor)

Question 5

Saigon regime:

Answer 5

-No history of democracy in Vietnam
-Strongly nationalistic (right wing)
-Extensive corruption in the government and military
-Thieu ruled with just 37% of the electorate in fixed elections

Question 6

ARVN:

Answer 6

-seen as cowards “search and avoid”
-military appointments based on politics not skill and ability
-religious divide (catholics preferred even though a minority - Buddhists make up 80% of army only 5% leadership)
-corruption and low pay BUT did fight bravely when cornered. Wages so low some ARVN officers pocketed the pay of deserters and sick or dead men.