What do Americans think of the Vietnam war? long time ago, i know but...?

Question

Im British, but would like to get a better idea of what Americans think of the result of the Vietnam war, did you agree with it, what about the outcome? would you want to do it again?

Answer 1

I recently watched a documentary called the Fog Of War. I recommend you watch it too. I live in California and the average person out here is against wars. In my opinion, Vietnam was the America's first war fought completely for the wrong reasons. I do not know much about the Korean War but that may have actually been the first.



We did not know what we were doing, and were using human lives like pawns. I was born in the midst of the Vietnam war, so I do not remember it but my brother fought over there. He is no longer the same man although he (unlike many others) came out of it with his life and health.

Answer 2

The Vietnam war was a prime example of american empirical policy run riot and stands as a prime example of the lengths that the United states will go to in order to enforce their way of life and government on a people of another land. Their focus is always on helping the people of other lands to see that their way is the only way. As long as the united states uses this excuse for war you are bound to repeat the acts and mistakes that you experienced in Vietnam. Thank God that there is a left (politically speaking) because if there were none war would be rampant in the world today with the Christian right wing conservatives at the helm. Repeat the Vietnam experience yes you will over and over again until the United States and its empirical ways give out just as other empires have.

Answer 3

I was born in 1969, during the war and have no actually memory of it, but my dad served 3 tours in vietnam. I have spent most of my life studing the war. I do agree with the war and felt we did belong. AS for the outcome, it makes me mad that the media can try to portray the war as a loss. Our military won every military engagement in the war. We stopped the spread of communism, one of the main goals being in the war. Yes South Vietnam did fall to communism, but that was 2 years after we left when the south was fighting on their own. No one ever want to go to war or do it again, but 70 or 80 percent of all that served in Vietnam said they would do it again. If they beleive in what they did , who am i to disagree. If i can be of any more help email me.

Answer 4

I personally was against it for the reasons that #1: it was never declared, so technically non-sanctioned; and #2: there was too much division in the U.S. at that time to go full steam ahead and fight a real war instead of one with one's hand tied behind one's back, such as the flying of 20 planes with one bomb each during missions, which truly did happen. I do, however, think that there was some truth to the "domino theory".



As far as the outcome, the U.S. 's image as a policeman was tarnished and it was the beginning of the movement, now reaching top-speed, of dissing the States, a phenomenon you Brits witness in your own history in Khartoum, Afghanistan, the Dardanelles and India (relax- I'm on your side).



I personally would not want to do it again - I would have used "spheres" of influence where embargoes were in place, much as the way in which the States have dealt with Cuba.



I think it has resulted in a reluctance on the part of U.S. citizens and residents to get involved in much warfare or sanction/approve of it. I think it's quite possible that if Adolph Hitler were alive now instead of in the 20th century that we as a nation would turn a blind eye and hide under the sheets, much the same as in the fable of the boy who cried wolf who had his guts eaten while everybody ignored him.



That's why war can never be about popularity.

Answer 5

I can only speak for myself, but to me the Viet Nam War is the text book example on how not to fight a war. I would contrast that with the Gulf War I.



Success in war is, by it's very nature, limited in scope. The doctrine of using overwhelming force for simple and clearly defined objectives is the only part that "works." I use quotes because no matter what, a lot of people die who have absolutely nothing to do with it.



I would not do Viet Nam again, knowing what I know now. Communism is self destructive and doesn't need to be fought.

Answer 6

First I am Australian.

The Vietnam war was a travesty that should never have happened.

There were many people killed and maimed .

There is no distinction between the innocents and the armed forces that suffered.

Are still suffering on both sides of the fence

Answer 7

It was a screwed up deal from the start to the end. But it did prevent the Communist North from taking over the free South.



Other wise it was a stalemate. The US troops were not allowed to go past a certain point yet the enemy could.



Also you could not tell a North vietnamese person from the South so you never really knew who was the enemy...

Answer 8

I think it was not a declared war. Service men and women coming home were not recognized in a parade, etc. Some were spit upon.

Answer 9

I heard it was a controversial war like the one in Iraq today and the old folks don't like talking about it.

Answer 10

im vietnamese and my grandpa said that it was a crule war and they don't want to relive it.

Answer 11

I THINK IT WAS PRETTY BAD HOW DROP THOSE BOMBS ON THEM LIKE THAT.BUT AMERICA GOTTA DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO..YES WE RUN THE WORLD