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Vietnam War - why not beat viet cong

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The Viet Cong were able to effectively engage in guerrilla warfare against US forces due to their intimate knowledge of the Vietnamese terrain and ability to blend in with the local population. They used tunnels, booby traps, and surprise attacks to wear down US troops over time. While the Tet Offensive resulted in heavy losses for the Viet Cong, it demonstrated they could strike even the most fortified US positions and shocked the American public, increasing anti-war sentiment and calls for withdrawal. Combined with a lack of broad international support, these factors made it difficult for the US to achieve victory and ultimately forced their withdrawal from Vietnam.

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Vietnam War - why not beat viet cong
Vietnam War - why not beat viet cong
LEARNING INTENTIONS • Describe the military tactics of the Viet Cong • Explain the factors which forced American withdrawal from Vietnam
In the 1960s and 1970s, the USA was one of the world’s great superpowers. Why then could they not defeat the Viet Cong and win in Vietnam?
The Viet Cong (properly called the National Liberation Front) was an army from South Vietnam. It fought the US and South Vietnam government during the Vietnam War.
The Viet Cong engaged in guerrilla war. This means that they generally did not take part in major battles, rather attacked in small groups then disappeared back into the jungle.
Operation Ranch Hand aimed to destroy jungle to prevent the Viet Cong from hiding. This involved using Agent Orange to destroy plantation – but it also caused major health problems.
As the Viet Cong were from Vietnam, they knew the country better than the Americans. This allowed them to hide in places they could not be found. They also looked just like ordinary Vietnamese.
The Vietcong used a variety of weapons to attack US troops. Mines were placed around villages, causing injuries to many soldiers. Heavy machine guns were used to target US helicopters.
Many soldiers trained in Texas in desert conditions. The USA struggled because their soldiers were not trained for jungle warfare. Also the soldiers’ average age was 22, (not 19) meaning many were inexperienced.
The Viet Cong also had a tunnel network that allowed them to hide from attack. There were so many tunnels, it was impossible for the American soldiers to find them all.
Many Viet Cong were only amateur fighters. However they had support from a professional army. The Viet Cong received backing from the North Vietnamese Army. North Vietnam was helped by China and the USSR.
The Tet Offensive (February 1968) was one of the most famous events of the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong launched a surprise attack in 35 towns across South Vietnam on Tet (the Vietnamese New Year).
80,000 Viet Cong fighters (supported by North Vietnam soldiers) attacked various sites, including the US Embassy in Saigon. Almost half the Viet Cong were killed, but it is still seen as a victory for them.
The Viet Cong’s ability to attack even the US Embassy shocked Americans. More and more people realised America could not win, and so wanted the USA to withdraw from Vietnam.
Anti-war views in America also made it hard for the US to win. As more and more Americans opposed the war, the US government found it hard to keep going (in terms of money and military deaths)
The US also struggled because it didn’t have other countries’ support. America wanted soldiers from other countries to join the fight, but only a small number did (South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand).

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Vietnam War - why not beat viet cong

  • 3. LEARNING INTENTIONS • Describe the military tactics of the Viet Cong • Explain the factors which forced American withdrawal from Vietnam
  • 4. In the 1960s and 1970s, the USA was one of the world’s great superpowers. Why then could they not defeat the Viet Cong and win in Vietnam?
  • 5. The Viet Cong (properly called the National Liberation Front) was an army from South Vietnam. It fought the US and South Vietnam government during the Vietnam War.
  • 6. The Viet Cong engaged in guerrilla war. This means that they generally did not take part in major battles, rather attacked in small groups then disappeared back into the jungle.
  • 7. Operation Ranch Hand aimed to destroy jungle to prevent the Viet Cong from hiding. This involved using Agent Orange to destroy plantation – but it also caused major health problems.
  • 8. As the Viet Cong were from Vietnam, they knew the country better than the Americans. This allowed them to hide in places they could not be found. They also looked just like ordinary Vietnamese.
  • 9. The Vietcong used a variety of weapons to attack US troops. Mines were placed around villages, causing injuries to many soldiers. Heavy machine guns were used to target US helicopters.
  • 10. Many soldiers trained in Texas in desert conditions. The USA struggled because their soldiers were not trained for jungle warfare. Also the soldiers’ average age was 22, (not 19) meaning many were inexperienced.
  • 11. The Viet Cong also had a tunnel network that allowed them to hide from attack. There were so many tunnels, it was impossible for the American soldiers to find them all.
  • 12. Many Viet Cong were only amateur fighters. However they had support from a professional army. The Viet Cong received backing from the North Vietnamese Army. North Vietnam was helped by China and the USSR.
  • 13. The Tet Offensive (February 1968) was one of the most famous events of the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong launched a surprise attack in 35 towns across South Vietnam on Tet (the Vietnamese New Year).
  • 14. 80,000 Viet Cong fighters (supported by North Vietnam soldiers) attacked various sites, including the US Embassy in Saigon. Almost half the Viet Cong were killed, but it is still seen as a victory for them.
  • 15. The Viet Cong’s ability to attack even the US Embassy shocked Americans. More and more people realised America could not win, and so wanted the USA to withdraw from Vietnam.
  • 16. Anti-war views in America also made it hard for the US to win. As more and more Americans opposed the war, the US government found it hard to keep going (in terms of money and military deaths)
  • 17. The US also struggled because it didn’t have other countries’ support. America wanted soldiers from other countries to join the fight, but only a small number did (South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand).