Critical analysis of why America Lost the Vietnam War

Operation rolling thunder was instituted in 1965. This included bombing North Vietnam to stop support aid coming to the viet cong in the south. The South was experiencing a civil war against its own communist supporters, the Viet Cong. Despite the usage of millions of tons of bombs, Usa did not gain victory because they were bombing a jungle dwelling nation, which did not only a few supply lines but complicated jungle trails and tunnel networks.

USA was defeated by Vietnam not solely because of weakness of its army and lack of ammunition but because of its lack of preparation for a non conventional war. It is important to examine each weakness of the American army and the Vietnamese strength in perspective of how they cancelled each other out.

Vietnam engaged in Guerrilla warfare, which it carried out effectively. Guerrilla warfare included small attack on American soldiers. Viet Minh Soldiers could easily escape into tinnels, they also made many booby traps for the American soldiers. America had failed to develop effective response to the guerrilla tactics.

America had not won the hearts of the local Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese, even in the south, were in support of the Viet Minh. Vietnamese soldiers were ery passionate and went to all measures to ensure that their cause was fulfilled; They had a very high morale. On the other hand American troops were unmotivated. They had only trained for conventional war. The American soldiers were also very young and many inexperienced. The average age was ninetee, In addition they were scared I this strange, hostile and unfamiliar country. Whereas the Vietnamese could survive in the jungle and fought strategically. They were also dedicated to their cause.

The Democratic South Vietnamese army was very small and had to fight against the Viet Cong (communist movement in the south) who had already created networks and trails in South Vietnam. The communists were backed by Communism itself, the Soviet Union and Red )communist) China.

America used more bombs on Vietnam than were used in the whole of world war tow. It is important to understand why bombs were ineffective. He Viet Minh Bases were well hidden. The Vietnamese were aware of the USA’s bombs and had prepared. The Vietnamese troops had built underground bunkers, workshops, kitchens, hospitals and storehouses. Operation Ranch Hand failed and destroyed the environment instead of the trails and networks.

The US President realised that they were not winning this war as they had expected to. The number of deaths of soldiers was on the increase. America began revolutionising their tactics and included chemical warfare. America used exfoliants, Agent Orange and napalm. These chemicals were against the law put down by the Geneva conference.

This was the first televised war and the American civilians could see the atrocities being committed, especially as a result of chemical warfare. America lost support of its citizens as it became clear that they could not win the war. American families of soldiers were also against the war. Peoples opposition was often inspired on the basis that innocent Vietnamese civilians were being killed by slow cruel methods.

In conclusion we can say that Vietnam shows communism gained over America because it did not understand the goal of the Vietnamese people, the terrains and the guerrilla tactics. It is key to understand that the perseverance of the Vietnamese lead them to win through against America despite the high death rates of Vietnamese citizens. They were not discouraged by this but rather enraged and fought more fiercely.