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Reasons for US defeat

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.

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Reasons for US defeat

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  1. Reasons for US defeat

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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”

  8. 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

  9. 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

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