Why did america loose the Vietnam war?

Answer 1

The most significant factor in the US losing Vietnam was Walter Cronkite and the American press. They became invested in defeat. I don't know why, but it happened.

The most significant example is the TET offensive. The North attacked the South in a well coordinated assault all across the South. They had infiltrated throughout all of the major cities and struck a big blow in January 1968. This was the North's big attempt to knock the US out of the war. Did it knock the US out? Well, considering that the US didn't leave for over 7 more years, I would say no.

The US beat back that attack. They beat it back so convincingly, that the North was unable to mount another offensive for two years. The US military showed what they were made of. What was reported in the US press? The TET offensive was a devastating defeat for the US. This is when the US public turned against the war. Devastating defeat? Allied losses were about 4,400 and enemy losses were estimated at 85,000 - 100,000. Devastating defeat?

Once Ho Chi Minh saw that Americans were being told the US couldn't win and the US public was beginning to believe it, he knew all he had to do was hold out. It was easy to hold out, because the US ground forces would not cross into the North. So the NVA and VC had sanctuary in the North.

As the press grew more strident in their anti-war posture, so did the American people. So when Johnson gave up and Nixon took over, Nixon knew he had to get out.

You will see all kinds of things like civilian leaders picking military targets and the military being hamstrung as reasons why the US lost. But remember, the US was winning with all that happening anyway.

The reason the US lost was because the press somehow managed to turn a huge US victory during the TET offensive into a colossal defeat. Had the press reported it straight, the US public wouldn't have turned their backs on the military. And Ho Chi Minh would have had to try and negotiate a way out, instead of biding his time, waiting for American resolve to fade.

Answer 2

We did not "lose" the conflict, because of the fact it grow to be in no way a declared conflict with the aid of congress, it is definately considered as unsuccessful nevertheless because of the fact there have been maximum of American casualties. Our troops weren't arranged for what grow to be in keep for them in Vietnam. The Vietcong have been cruel- unlike them our troops somewhat had hearts. squaddies in Vietnam have been strolling into basecamps with bombs strapped to their chests, keen to kill themselves just to kill a number of our squaddies, despite if that meant killing their own women persons and youngsters. We had no thought the lengths those human beings might pass. yet another extensive reason grow to be that our troops have been outnumbered so very much because of the fact they have been letting youthful infants combat besides. Theres quite some belongings you are able to seem up approximately Vietnam. wish this facilitates!

Answer 3

because a bunch of rapscallion politicians who know nothing of how to run a war thought they could do a better job of running a war than trained and experienced generals in the field

Answer 4

I'm afraid so - but your question should read:

Why did America lose the Vietnam War

I was there, from 1965 to 1966 in the United States Marine Corps.
We lost because you can't win when 90% (or more) of the indigenous population either very much dislikes or actively hates you. The VC were able, in the words of Mao, "to swim in the sea of the people"

We lost because we (the grunt on the ground) didn't really know (or care much) why we were over there. Oh, the politicians had their reasons (the so-called "domino theory", which turned out to be bogus.)
But the VC and the NVA were fighting for their homeland and their families. They were willing to die
to protect both.

We lost because we had no business being there in the first place; it was a tragic waste of lives and of billions of dollars.

And now the same stupidity is happening all over again, this time in Iraq.
"Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it."

Answer 5

In fact, we did NOT lose the WAR, we lost the PEACE!

There was a negotiated settlement that left South Vietnam free. But -- it included promises that the North would not attack again and that the U.S. would provide military support (esp. air support) if the South needed it. (Most likely a clear show of U.S. WILLINGNESS to do so would be an adequate deterrent if the North tested the matter.)

And then:

a) North Vietnam broke their promise. Suspecting that the U.S. might not respond they launched a new invasion. And WHY did they think this? Partly because they believed the U.S. was war weary and that years of propaganda (abetted by a number of American politicians and many in the media) had undermined American support for such an effort.

Note how critical the PERCEPTION in the U.S. was to their efforts. It was NOT that the U.S. did not have the resources to respond... but did it have the WILL to do so?

b) The U.S., as the North had thought and hoped, did NOT keep its treaty obligations and come to the aid of the South. Note the specific political situation in 1975 -- as a result of Nixon's self-inflicted wounds (Watergate) the 'anti-war' contingent of the Democratic party had gained strength in Congress. This group had NO interest in any further military activity in that region, not even to maintain the peace and keep our promises. And they had passed legislation ("the War Powers Resolution" [WPR] of 1973)** to limit the President's abilities to respond militarily.

So, when the South was attacked, and Gerald Ford PLED with Congress to meet the treaty obligations.... or at the least to provide sufficient support for a more orderly evacuation of South Vietnamese who wished to leave the county (esp. those most vulnerable to reprisals, imprisonment, etc. should the North take over). Congress did not do so. (I believe part of this was because the WPR required that Ford consult with a number of specific folks in Congress, and several were not available.. as it was Easter break.)

(I was in high school at the time and remember my horror at this response.... and all the more so with what followed -- boat people, imprisonments and a BLOOD BATH that spread across the region [ever heard of "the killing fields" of Communist Cambodia?] There are those who still seem to believe this was the right response. I believe it was one of the most shameful episodes in our history.)

** There are many criticisms of the WPR. One of the most interesting is in a speech Ford himself gave on this topic in 1978, a year after leaving office -- http://www.ford.utexas.edu/library/speeches/780220.htm

Answer 6

we lost due to lack of support of the soldiers in the U.S. and the media who's civil duty is to support the nation's exploits and endeavors didn't uphold their obligation and forced the president to pull the troops out early

Answer 7

The whole idea of the war was too stimulate the American war economy not win anything. Big business makes money from war. What do you think is happening now with the private contractors? Its not about winning anything only where is the money trail..... Americans are too dumb to see the truth and that is what they count on... the leadership of the companies I mean. There is no democracy in America only an illusion.

Answer 8

I'm Still Alive We Did Not Loose!

Answer 9

oiy this is cheatin,
basicly its cos Vietnamese wer impossible to beat