Strategies of War in Vietnam: Communism vs. America

Essay by Saria420University, Bachelor'sA+, February 2003

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The United States said they went into Vietnam to stop the Communist aggression from the North. America had declared South Vietnam an independent country in 1954, and it would do anything in its power to protect the country. The Communists had fought and won a war against the French to gain back their country, and they had allowed a separation of North and South with the understanding that national elections would bring them victory and one unified country. Now once again they had to fight against foreigners for what was rightfully theirs. The strategies and tactics of each side were different, but the consequences of these strategies on South Vietnam were devastating.

The United State's first strategy in stopping the Communist was to build up the country of South Vietnam so they would be able to fight off the revolutionaries. Between 1960-1964 America continuously pumped men into South Vietnam to advise the government and the military ARVN in how to fight, along with supplying them with the materials to do so.

It was America's goal to lead South Vietnam on the path of capitalism, eventually being able to support themselves. The United State's did this by viewing Vietnam society as something to be overcome; to modernize cities, to urbanize the peasant people, and to place strong men in power that could easily be manipulated by American leadership.

The United States also had a strategy to defend South Vietnam through the destruction of the North. America believed it was due to the influence of the North that NLF support was rising. The Viet Cong were able to grow stronger because of supplies and manpower sent by the North. To show the North, and the rest of the world of America's determination and power, they began bombing the North. Throughout the...