answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War was a reaction to the expansion of proxy communist countries and groups sponsored by the Soviet Union. During the Cold War the United States and its allies fought worldwide, small scale conflicts with the Soviet Union and its allies. After the French government withdrew from Vietnam, the United States became involved to prevent a "domino effect" of communist takeovers of the countries in Southeast Asia. Given that there was no plan to defeat the communists but to only contain them, this lead to military and political decisions which could not affect a winning result. As the length and cost of the Vietnam War grew, this caused political and social pressure to build within the United States. This pressure was directed in two ways: either to win the war or end the war. Given the lack of political will to win the war, President Richard Nixon forced the North Vietnamese government to accept a peace agreement which allowed the United States to withdraw from the conflict. Given that the political and military goals were not achieved by the United States, this caused a loss of confidence in the ability of the country to successfully prosecute a war and the ability of the political classes to support the effort. Socially, the Vietnam War was also highly divisive to the american people. Today, the social effects can still be seen in the debate surrounding the war in Iraq.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

The basic ingredients for making Vietnam a "bad" war, was: The Atomic bomb & the Draft. The Nuclear Weapon created the "limited war". This second limited war was not partly surrounded by the sea as Korea had been, thus easily isolated from communist re-supply. Vietnam could not be isolated from re-supply, which in turn caused a time consuming war of "trying to empty a river with a steam shovel." (A river will keep flowing unless you DAM IT UP!). This situation caused: An escalation of the draft.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Had it not been for the US Military draft to fight the war; Vietnam would not have been as controversial as it was. It would simply have been a small foreign war in Asia, part of the ongoing cold war against communism.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

The My Lai Massacre, it was one of the most awful things we ever did in war. The U.S was not justified during this case. Lt. William Calley decided for his troops to open fire on a bunch of innocent children and kids. Congress did not give permission to even engage with them. However, Calley denied it. Tons of innocent mothers and children were killed when they opened fire. It was even reported that one little girl was raped and killed. This action that was led by Lt. William Calley was unjust and very brutal. He made American society look terrible.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

because we did the united states did not approve of the communism that was going to be enforced in the southern Vietnam territory

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

The threat of nuclear war resulted in restrictions on the conduct of the war. It had to be fought as a limited war (limited to conventional weapons=non atomic).

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Citizens of a nation should not turn against and attack their own countrymen, many of whom were drafted into military service against their will, and then sent off to war. This was done.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

The communist won the war.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Because of the draft.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why was Vietnam war controversial?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What controversial war was the US involved in during the turbulent sixties?

Vietnam.


Why does the Vietnam war still remains controversial?

some thought that war was bad. some are prowar.


Why were pentagon papers so controversial?

They revealed things about the Vietnam War that the American people did not know.


What contributions did Harold Holt have to Australian history?

Holt will always be remembered for his controversial role in expanding Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.


When was the Vietnam War and what country fought?

The Vietnam war officially started in 1959 and ended in 1975, during this time period the United States of America and South Vietnam fought against communist North Vietnam to help prevent the spread of communism. However, there was conflict in Vietnam years before that involving France, Japan, and China. some people believe those conflicts were the cause of the Vietnam war. Long story short it was a controversial war and people still get upset about it. different people have different ideas about why it started. Vietnam had a turbulent history even before the war.


How many of the battles in Vietnam did the us army win?

The answer to how many battles the United States army won in the Vietnam War is controversial. The Vietnam war was a political war that was more of an insurgency with many little ambushes and almost no actual defined battles. The most widely accepted belief about the Vietnam war is that no one won or lost.


Was the Vietnam war a lawful war?

The legality of the Vietnam War is a complex and contested issue. The United States argued that it was fighting to prevent the spread of communism, while its critics argued that it violated international law. Ultimately, there was no formal declaration of war, and the conflict was highly controversial both domestically and internationally.


Who lived in Vietnam during the Vietnam war?

Q who was the victor of the Vietnam war? A I have no idea who won the Vietnam war!!!!


Was the Vietnam war in Pennsylvania?

No, the Vietnam War was in Vietnam


Did Richard Nixon serve in the Vietnam war?

President Nixon ended the US offensive participation in the war. President Ford conducted US defensive operations for rescue and evacuation, until the end of the war on 30 April 1975.


What was the name of the major war in the 60s?

the Vietnam War


Who won the Vietnam war between US and Vietnam?