1. Now think about the overall picture - how the strengths and weaknesses work together.
a) Were the armies finely balanced or was the balance strongly weighted to one side or the other?
The balance was hugely weighted to the Viet Cong. The only advantages the US had was larger numbers and superior technology, but that wasn't enough to defeat the Viet Cong. Viet Cong had strong, dedicated soldiers that wouldn't rest until they won. They also applied the devastating tactic of guerrilla warfare, which crushed US morale and effectively wore them out. Also, Viet Cong's lack of advanced technology increased their mobility, so they could move faster than the US troops could. On top of that, they knew the territory, and the majority of the Vietnamese population was against the US because of their corrupt leader of South Vietnam, Diem. The Viet Cong had more support, and was supplied by China and the USSR. Although they were outnumbered, the Viet Cong had a large advantage over the US.
b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?
b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?
The most important quality was the tactics. The Viet Cong used highly effective guerrilla tactics, that increased the other advantages. It made their one disadvantage negligible, and their other advantages somewhat less necessary, but at the same time it intensified those advantages. The guerrilla tactics lowered US morale, increased Viet Cong morale, wore out the US, and it was made easy by their mobility and knowledge of the territory. It was easily their largest advantage.
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:
Explaining your conclusions
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were:
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were:
Unknown territory
Lack of local support
Lowered morale by opposing guerrilla tactics
Inferior and less motivated soldiers
Low popularity of the war back at the US, and low popularity of the US even in the country they were fighting for
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:
Extremely effective tactics
Very strong, motivated and committed soldiers
Chinese and Soviet support
Good mobility and knowledge of the land
Support of locals
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:
The bombing raids damaged some key points, and slowed down the Viet Cong
In La Dreng Valley, the US fought the Viet Cong in open warfare, which was a good victory for the US
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:
The raids and attempts to take out the hidden Viet Cong guerrilla fighters just killed countless innocent civilians and destroyed cities and forests. It was a highly unethical tactic and made the US look terrible
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
Guerrilla tactics left the US constantly afraid of ambush, and they had no way of knowing who was part of Viet Cong
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:
The Tet Offensive was a total disaster. It did not achieve any of its goals, but it did raise controversy in the US.
The US's bombing raids took a toll on the Vietnamese, and their chemical weapons were just as disastrous. They eventually got North Vietnam to the negotiation table.
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be their unpopularity because:
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be their unpopularity because:
The US was hated by North Vietnam, and a lot of South Vietnam. It motivated the Viet Cong to fight hard and gave them a relentless commitment to winning. The Viet Cong eventually followed through and defeated the US with all of it's support, effective tactics, and determination.
h. The key Viet Cong strength was its effective tactics because:
h. The key Viet Cong strength was its effective tactics because:
Their guerrilla tactics were very effective in subduing the US. They couldn't be beaten because they'd take the US by surprise, then flee before they could be countered. They blended in with civilians, and the US never knew when they'd be ambushed, and they were constantly afraid of being attacked. It lowered their morale and gave them no chance at victory.
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