Title: The Vietnam War And Its Aftermath

By Pa Nderry M’Bai, Raleigh, North Carolina

Abstract: This paper discusses the genesis of the Vietnamese war. The author also provided a detailed account about the circumstances, which triggered the students involvement in the anti war protests at the time. The author critically examines the public perception towards the war, and the aftermath of decade long war.

Introduction: The Vietnamese war was greeted with strong opposition across the country. Students across the US believe that such a war was a waste of resources, and as well as an affront to the very democratic principles, the United States had stood for. In other words, many argued that the US stepped its bounds by waging a war against Vietnam, when there were pressing issues of national importance to be tackled.  For example, the average American at the time wanted job, healthcare, decent housing, college education, and guaranteed national security. Anything short of this, was considered unacceptable to the nation’s much cherished democracy.

     The Vietnamese war was triggered by the growing expansion of communism in Asia. The US Government at the material time believe that Vietnam was likely to team up with its arch rivals-notably communist nations such as China, and Russia to undermine its national security capabilities. China, and Russia were at the time lobbying support from other communist nations to strengthen its military might. The former Soviet Union was also posed to introduce communism in the United States, with reports of the recruitment of soviet spies to penetrate the US national security apparatus. The soviets  were committed to unseating the existing US Government and replacing it with a communist regime.

Concerned by such developments, the United States deemed it imperative to engage the Vietnamese Northern communist regime militarily. The US,  in alliance with the Southern Vietnamese regime, fought their allies in the Northern region. The whole purpose of the war was to end communism in Vietnam. The US backed the Southern Vietnamese by providing them with military support, and other economic incentives. Countries perceived to be communist supporters were excluded from us financial, and military aid.

Even though, the Communist regime in the Northern Vietnam, never poses as a major security threat to the United States, but the Government wanted to take control of it,  in order to weaken the growing communist expansion in Asia. Although, on the other hand, many were with the view that there were no justification for the said war.

                            Public Outrage

Tensions started to mount nationwide, following the growing number of US causalities in the Vietnamese war. The world digital history reported that “The Vietnam War cost the United States 58,000 lives and 350,000 casualties. It also resulted in between one and two million Vietnamese deaths.” There were public outrage throughout the country, following rise death toll. Students, community leaders, and right activists voiced their opposition against the war.

     The advent of television also tends  to influence the student’s involvement in the anti war protest. The news media portrayed scary pictures of dead US soldiers in their evening newscast. This, to some extent, had influenced public perception towards the rationale behind such a war. Many believe that the war should not have happened in the first place. They questioned the motive behind the Government’s action.

In registering their dissatisfaction against the Government’s move, students organized protest marches in many colleges across the country. The Kent State protest tragedy in Ohio,  is still fresh in minds of Americans. The anti war riots, left many students killed, and a massive destruction to public property. The National Guards fired, and killed students protesters. There was a growing hostility between the military, and civilian population. Students never appreciated the fact that the soldiers were acting on a Government order to fight in Vietnam. They tend to develop a different perception towards the military, and the entire Government machinery.

      The Vietnam war being seen as waste of Government resources. Many believe that the funds that were used to fight the war, could have been channeled to pressing developmental sectors, which were in dire need of attention. Americans wanted jobs, welfare, and a good healthcare system.

                      Nixon’s Era

When President Richard Nixon decided to extend the war to Cambodia, there was a growing opposition to his move. Many believe that he was embarking on a lost battle since the Northern Vietnamese regime were yet to be concurred militarily by the US forces on the ground. Many viewed his move as uncalled for, amid a nationwide protest to ask for the withdrawal of the US troops from Vietnam. “Richard Nixon became the next president, and his war strategy included increasing the air war over North Vietnam, extending the war into Laos and Cambodia, and slowly bringing the troops home( Caruso Kevin).

The students unrest had some economic, political and security ramifications. For example, there was a significant loss of public property, and lives. Economic activities were stalled, thanks to the anti war riots. This, to some extent,  undermined businesses. In the absence of relative peace, there cannot be meaningful development.

     On the other hand, the Government also lost public confidence, following what was considered as the unjustified war, and the killing of the student protesters. Many condemned the killings. Unprovoked national guards shot and killed students.  They argued that the students were merely exercising their rights to freedom of association.

The news of the students killing sent a shocking waves across the country. Many criticized the US security forces. They argue that soldiers have betrayed the oath they have taken-that is to protect the lives and properties of Americans. Tempers flared up across the US.

Civil rights activist Martin Luther King was also in the forefront in waging an anti war campaign. Like the students, Dr. King too was opposed to the Vietnamese war. He questioned the rationale behind the war. Dr. King had spearheaded so many anti war protest marches.

     While President Nixon was not the pioneer of the Vietnamese war, it is imperative to note that he also played a major role in trying to liberate the Southern Vietnamese. Despite public criticism against his Government’s  policies towards Vietnam, Nixon was determined to engage the Northern communist regime. He ensured that US troops stayed in Vietnam to fight the war.

     Major Shift On US Diplomacy After The Vietnamese War

Having realized that it was practically impossible to defeat the Northern Vietnamese communist regime militarily, the US Government under the leadership of President Nixon decided to embark on a major diplomatic shift. This time, they initiated what was called at the time  a containment program. The whole purpose of the containment program was to win the support of communist regimes-notably China, and Russia by extending peace deal diplomacy to them.

     The Nixon administration registered significant achievements in their quest to mend  fences  with their perceived arch rivals. With the support of his National Security adviser Henry Kissinger, President Nixon was able to reach a peace deal with communist nations;  such as China and Russia. Chief among his Government’s demands were the reduction of the manufacturing of nuclear weapons by communist nations. The US also agreed to promote bilateral trade with its allies, with the ultimate aim of ending communist expansion.

                                Conclusion

The outcome  of the Vietnamese war served as a lesson for those in the position of power. The number of causalities, coupled with huge budget deficit the war caused outrages Americans, most importantly students. The post Vietnam war era, witnessed some major diplomatic shift. The US tends to focus more on strengthening its domestic and international security, through peaceful means. This was manifested during the cold war era. President Kennedy used monetary, and military aid to attract the support of non-communist nations.

Reference Page:

Caruso Kevin. The Vietnam War. Retrieved From: http://www.vietnammemorial.com/vietnam-war.html  

Learn about the Vietnam War. Retrieved June 20 2009 From: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules .cfm  

Editors note:  Pa Nderry M’Bai is a mass communication student  here  in the United States. He is the founding editor, and publisher of the US based Freedom Newspaper. He resides in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Mr. M’Bai can be reached at: panderrymbai@gmail.com or editor@freedomnewspaper.com