The Significance of Vietnam War

The Vietnam War of 1954 - 1975 was the longest and one of the most unsuccessful wars in U.S history. It took place in countries such as South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The war was a huge blow to the United States’ pride and military, so much that there were lotteries for soldiers. There were five presidents in office during the war, but the main presidents that had a big impact on being involved were Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. Although the objectives of the U.S being involved were good intentioned, there are many reasons to support that it was an Unjustifiable war due to the casualties. While looking at present information about the war, it was not needed for America to step into the territorial

The Vietnam War was one of the most deadliest wars in America, many were killed and even more injured. The war began because of America’s efforts to stop the spread of communism. The Vietcong may of won the war but America showed that we will not let communism spread, the domino theory come into effect, and America’s faults in our war program and way to attack the Vietcong. The war was lost but from a overview of the war America learned from their lose.

The Vietnam War put a strain on America’s economy. Kennedy and Johnson’s policy was of gradual escalation. Unfortunately, this caused for increasing investment in the war. Johnson tried to approach these problems with programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as a part of a larger plan called the Great Society. It was a “war against poverty”. However, as the war raged on, more and more money and lives went into Vietnam, and the ‘Great Society’ was not a priority. Many people such as George McGovern criticized the massive deficit spending on the war (Doc H). This eventually turned into both an economic recession and inflation, which became known as ‘stagflation’ (stagnation and inflation). Nixon, the president succeeding Johnson, would attempt to alleviate the situation by freezing prices and wages temporarily. In the aftermath, many people have realized that the way we approached Vietnam was not right. Robert F. Kennedy tells that the reason that there has not been yet a solution to Vietnam is not because of lack of manpower, but because the way we sought to alleviate the problem was by manpower. (Doc E).

The economy was in trouble because the United States had poured in some 168 billion into the war. During 1962- 1965 there was low inflation, almost full employment, and a favorable balance of trade. President Johnson declared a “War on Poverty” through his “Great Society” programs while escalating the war in Vietnam at the same time. However, his decision to finance both “guns and butter” – a major war and the Great Society simultaneously, without a significant increase in taxes unleashed an acceleration of inflation, when Nixon came into office. Although the real reason for inflation was the high military spending for the Vietnam war, the stall of economic growth had produced a more important matter, economic recession, and high unemployment. Though he did act upon them, his policy

The Vietnam war brought many changes to the United States in the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Some of the changes were for the better of the country, take the rediscovered Women’s Rights movements and the ever growing Free Speech movements inspired by New Left, while most of the other changes brought on tensions between government and their people. The Domino Theory pushed our leaders to the edge. In order to stop the Domino Theory in Vietnam, the U.S. invaded. The war was useless for the American government to get involved with. Even Robert Kennedy described our presence in Vietnam as ‘... sending a lion to halt an epidemic of jungle rot.’ (Doc E) From new groups forming to rebel, to inflation and loss of trust in the Government, from 1960’s to

In 1961 the worst war ever fought by America had just started. The Vietnamese of the north also known as the Viet Cong had invaded the south to take control of the entire country. America and other democratic countries felt the spread of communism to this country would be a stepping-stone for other communistic countries around the world, also known as the Domino Effect. America, as cocky as they were, invaded Vietnam to help the southern Vietnamese. Although America is one of the most powerful countries in the world, it extremely underestimated the dedication of their enemy. Backed by China and the USSR, the Viet Cong were a determined and very tough enemy. The Vietnam War as a whole was a terrible act by the US government. Vietnam was

The Vietnam War was the longest war in U.S history and the most unpopular American war, which resulted in about 60,000 American soldiers losing their lives. As public became more aware of the war realities, a large section of public felt that there was no need for this war and America is not going gain anything. However, despite the growing protests and self- realization none of the three Presidents under whom this war took place showed the courage to declare the war close.

“All of a sudden I heard them shooting, then I saw people dropping to the ground. Then I dropped to the ground,” said a victim of the 1970 Kent State shooting (Adams). The Vietnam War was a controversial war for the United States that was long and costly. The war was the start of communist North Vietnam against South Vietnam. As an ally of South Vietnam, the US supported them in the war. American involvement in the war led the communists of the northern part of Vietnam against the more democratic south. Opposition to the war in the US divided the American public. Many protests occurred on college campuses a few resulting in multiple injuries and deaths. The Kent State shooting was a focal point of the anti-war movement. The Kent State protests

The Vietnam War had an influence on veterans in more than one way, including massive loss of lives and increased violence. American veterans bore physical and emotional injuries that they have carried for the rest of their lives, and many remained loyal and proud of their services to the United States of America. American soldiers in Vietnam served in individual capacities, leading to difficulties in adjustments back at home and others becoming drug addicts. Their addiction to drugs was supported by the challenges brought about by transitioning to a peaceful existence, drugs available in America and the lack of federal programs that could assist the veterans in coping with life at home after war.

Additionally, the money went toward extensive budgeted war costs and aid to the French war effort from 1949 to 1952. Veteran's benefits and interest would add another $250 billion ($1 Trillion in 2003 dollars) (Ganzel, 2007). According to the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign, 13.7 billion gallons of fuel were used by the U.S. forces between 1966 and 1972. This total is enough to heat 10,800,000 American homes for a whole year, and it doesn’t include the billions of gallons used in transporting troops and equipment from the U.S. and U.S. bases to the war (VAORRC). The United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War increased government spending for things such as military operations, battle equipment, and economic aid to other countries involved. Low unemployment decreased as young men were drafted for military service, leading to a rather large rise in labor costs. Prices rose as American companies passed these higher costs onto their consumers. Both the consumer price and wholesale price indexes rose. In 1967, there was a proposal to increase taxes to cover the war, but it failed. Therefore, the government was forced to turn to deficit spending. By the time 1968 rolled around, the vast majority of businesses in the U.S. had turned against the war. Businesses viewed the Vietnam War as economically draining and as a trigger for seriously unhealthy inflation. President Nixon tried to

Within one generation, The United States have experienced The Second World War, The Korean War and fifteen years of The Cold War crisis. The Vietnam War was the last drop into the cup of American patience. The costs of The Vietnam War were intolerable, because they contravened traditional American values and hopes.

In addition, more teens were going to college to receive degrees. This also led to the birth of various different student unions; “Student activists took over college campuses, organized massive demonstrations against the war in Vietnam and occupied parks and other public places. Young people also participated in the wave of uprisings that shook American cities from Newark to Los Angeles in the 1960s” (History.com Staff). These adolescents and young adults used the resource of unions to start social movements. Another component of the environment at the time was the Vietnam War.

The war between the 1962-1975 which in the history of this time is known as the Vietnam War. This war was a war in which many troops were left with no choice but to attend this war. Left with no choice but to fight in the Vietnam War which left them traumatised affecting everything in which could have been.

The Vietnam War and all that it entails has long symbolized the American cultural revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. It is popular among Hollywood and the music industry, but it is much more than pop culture. The War in Vietnam divided America to its core and helped to reshape the very fabric that makes us Americans from our political process to how civilians choose to react and support our soldiers, sailors and airmen. It has defined our Foreign Policy and even the steps politicians take in the campaign process and when elected the decisions they make in military strategy.

Vietnam is world’s 13th most populous country, majorly consisting of Viet and Kinh ethnic groups. Vietnam has Vietnamese as official language and some other languages exist in minority groups. Vietnam adopted “seclusion” policy which made the country isolated and faced a deep crisis which led them on brink of bankruptcy. After 1995, started globalizing and established relation with United States and Vietnam also became member of WTO in 2006. There are many aspects that helped Vietnam to grow faster. PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Legal and Environmental) analysis helps in analyzing overall business opportunities and ease of doing business in country. Vietnam PESTLE analysis is as follows:-