2. KEY
If you see this symbol you must take notes
If you see this symbol you must not take
notes
3. Today’s lesson
We are developing our knowledge and understanding of the
reasons why the US lost the Vietnam war
Today will be able to:
1) Describe key facts about the Vietnam War.
2) Explain at least four key reasons why the US lost the Vietnam War.
Today’s lesson will involve:
1) Build up notes on the topic.
2) Plan a 20 mark essay.
3) Pass a 20 mark timed essay.
5. Essay Factors
1. Difficulties faced by the US Military
2. Strengths of the North Vietnamese
3. Weaknesses of the South Vietnamese
4. Changing Public Opinion in the USA
5. International Isolation of the USA
You should aim to cover 4 of these in your essay; but you
must know all of them in case it is the isolated factor.
6. Introduction – 3 step plan
Background (give 2-3 sentences about the Cold War/
Vietnam/ The Domino Theory/ how the US ended up in
Vietnam)
Factors (what are the factors in the essay?) There were many
important factors which caused the US Defeat in Vietnam such as…(a
list is fine)
Argument (what will you be arguing is most important?) It can
be argued that although … played a role, the most important factor was
…because…*RELATE TO THE ISSUE IN THE Q*
7. Task 1: Practice Paragraph (Without E) –
Difficulties faced by the US Army
TS: The US Army faced many difficulties whilst fighting the
Vietcong.
K: Pick one tactic of the US and describe in detail including why it
was unsuccessful
K: Pick another tactic of the US and describe in detail including
why it was unsuccessful
K: Vietcong tactics
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam because…
A+: However…
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam because…
A+: However…
8. Task 3 - Practice Paragraph –
Strengths of the North Vietnamese &
Vietcong
TS: The North had many strengths which gave them the
upper hand against the US Army.
K: Attitude & Determination of Vietcong
K: Knowledge of the Jungle/ Tunnels/ Ho Chi Minh Trail
K: Hearts and Minds/ Support of villagers
K: Allies
K: Leadership
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam because…
A+: However…
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam because…
A+: However…
9. Task 4: Practice Paragraph –
Weaknesses of the South Vietnamese
TS: The South Vietnamese government and
military was weak which ultimately helped the
North.
K: South Vietnamese government & Diem – view of
Vietnamese people
K: Vietnamese Generals/ Soldiers – why
ineffective
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam
because…
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam
because…
E: Overall…
10. Task 5: Practice Paragraph
TS: The American public began to oppose the war which contributed to
the US Defeat.
K: Media war – issues of TV and horrors witnessed
K: Anti War Movement and examples of protests
K: Opposition to the draft – what did they do? Could mention Muhammad
Ali
K: Black Power Movement/ Civil Rights – why did they oppose the war?
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam because…
A+: However…
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam because…
A+: However…
E: Overall…
11. Task 6: Practice Paragraph –
International Isolation
TS: The US received little support from their
allies during the Vietnam war.
K: Allies – who helped the US?
K: British position
K: Media portrayal of Vietnam
K: Allies of the North Vietnamese
A: This led to the U.S. defeat in Vietnam
because…
A+: However…
12. Evaluation
Public Opinion > US mistakes > Strengths of North
Vietnam
Strengths of North Vietnam > US Mistakes > Public
Opinion
US Mistakes > Public Opinion > Strengths of North
Vietnam 1 -
2 -
3 -
Why did the
USA lose the
Vietnam
War?
13. Conclusion
In conclusion, there were many reasons why the USA was
defeated in the Vietnam War.
• On the one hand… you should take one less important factor here
and explain why it was less important) – You could also link back
to your line of argument
On the other hand… (now you should do the same with another
more important key factor to balance your argument) You could
also link back to your line of argument.
Overall, the most important factor was… because…
This was more important than the other factors because… use
TWO pieces of evidence & Relate to the issue in the Q!
Therefore, (final link to Q)
