History Assignment on Vietnam

Babalola Asamu

Robert Morrow

HIST 120

04/03/2018

The Vietnam War

The United States joined in the Vietnam War as a way of combating the spread of Communism. The Vietnam War began in 1959 after North Vietnam launched guerilla warfare against South Vietnam. The north wanted to unite Vietnam under a communist rule. However, the south was against this move since it had embraced a democratic and capitalist government. Prior to the Vietnam War, the United States had assisted France to help it keep North and South Vietnam which were its colonies. However, France gave up after a period of struggle and opted out of the war in 1954. North Vietnam was more powerful than South Vietnam and it was bound to win the Vietnam War. Victory for North Vietnam meant spread of communism and the United States was against this. Therefore, the U.S decided to intervene and help South Vietnam against her rival. Initially, the United States assisted by offering military training and guidance from American generals. However, after an American warship was attacked by North Vietnam, the United States sent more troops to Vietnam. It was also involved in active war against North Vietnam. The United States participation in Vietnam War persisted from 1964 to 1965. This war had adverse effects on American Soldiers and the U.S as a country. Many soldiers got injured and lost their lives. The financial burden of sustaining the American soldiers in Vietnam was also straining the U.S. There was an outcry from Americans who felt that United States participation in Vietnam was not justified. These reasons lead to the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam.

Some critics felt that the participation of United States in Vietnam War was wrong because it was harmful for both the United States and Vietnam. George Skakel gave a narration of the torture and suffering that the American soldiers were subjected to in Vietnam. They saw the bodies of their close friends and they were forced to execute orders that were morally wrong. Some of these orders included torturing and killing civilians. Eventually, they ended up suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders. Additionally, John Kerry argued that the United States did not have genuine reasons to participate in the Vietnam War. He says that the U.S kept fighting the war due to pride even after losing. This stubbornness lead to the loss of many soldiers and placed a huge burden on the American people. Furthermore, the soldiers harmed innocent civilians instead of saving them. Most Vietnamese viewed the American soldiers as enemies who were destroying their country. They did not even understand the significance of communism or capitalism which were the main concepts behind the war. The American participation in Vietnam War could not therefore be justified as a way of helping the Vietnamese. It was a show of pride which was portrayed by American leaders who did want to be seen as weak because they had lost a battle. This was done at the expense of American soldiers who were losing their lives and acquiring fatal injuries. These claims are also echoed by Martin Luther King. He criticizes the brutal force that American soldiers were using to harm defenseless civilians in Vietnam. In addition, there were many American soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam for a course that did not yield worthwhile outcome. The war was also putting financial strain on Americans.

In the first paragraph answer this question: Why did the United States fight the Vietnam War?

In the second paragraph answer this question: Why did the opponents of the war that we read think that the war was wrong?

To get 10 points on each aspect, your paper must fulfill the standard in the dot points. The number of points out of 10 that you received follows the colon.

Structure (10 pts): 9

Has clear topic sentences as 1st sentence of each paragraph

TSs are responsive to the question

All of the sentences in each paragraph tie to the paragraph’s TS

Evidence for first paragraph (10 pts): 9

Specifics from Gillon, “Hey, hey, LBJ,” and/or my lecture

Identifying your source for first paragraph (10 pts): 6

Introduces each source by name and position

Evidence for second paragraph (10 pts): 8

Specifics from the documents

Identifying your source for 2nd paragraph (10 pts): 8

Introduces each source by name and position

Total: 40 B-