The document discusses two interpretations of why America lost the Vietnam War. Interpretation one argues that effective Viet Cong tactics like guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and booby traps caused heavy American casualties and reduced troop morale. Over half of US casualties were from ambushes, and booby traps like bouncing betties caused 11% of casualties. Interpretation two argues that expensive and ineffective American tactics were the main reason for loss. The US spent $2000 per second and $400,000 to kill one Viet Cong soldier. This high cost drained support from the American people and forced withdrawal. Additionally, US tactics killed many innocent civilians, losing the support of South Vietnamese people and making it impossible to defeat the Viet Cong. Overall, the

1. How far do you agree with Interpretation1 about the importance ofthe actions VietCong in
causing America to lose the VietnamWar (16 marks)
I agree withinterpretationone whenitsays, “thetactics of the Viet Cong proved too much forthe
Americans”.Thisisaccurate because the VietCongtacticsstoppedthe Americansmakingthe most
of theirsuperiorityinweaponsandtechnology.Forexample,the VietCongused guerrillawarfare to
avoidgettingintoa straightfightwiththe Americanssince thisinvolvedusingambushandbooby
traps to attack the Americans. Boobytraps like the Bouncing Betty helpedto cause 11% of US
causalities,butalsohad a real impacton the confidence of the Americantroops.In fact, ‘point’
became the most fearedpositionon an Americanpatrol whichshowshow effective the VietCong
tactics were onscaringthe Americansoldiersandmakingthemlesseffective.Thisdirectlyhelped
the Americanslose the VietnamWarbecause theirownsoldierswereafraidtofightwhichmade
themlesseffective incombatandthe Americansmore likelytolose.
Ambushwasanotherexample of extremelyeffective VietCongtacticsthathelpedtocause the
Americanloss(agreeing withinterpretation one).Infact, 51% ofUS causalities were caused by
ambush whichmeantthat the Americanswere losingalotof mento thistactic. Thishelpedtocause
the Americanstolose the VietnamWarbecause the VietCongtacticswere soeffective incausingUS
casualtiesthattheyhadto withdrawfromVietnam, losingthe war.
However, interpretation two disagreeswith interpretation onewhen ithighlightsthat“the American
tactics were very expensiveand ineffective”.Thiswasa real problemforthe Americanssince they
were spending$2000 per second onthe Vietnam Warand itwas costingthem$400,000 to kill one
VietCong soldier.Asa result, theywere unable toaffordtocontinue fightingthe VietnamWarand
had to withdraw(resultingintheirlossof the war).The people of America contributed tothis
because theyprotestedagainstthe highcostof the war. Withoutthe supportof the American
people Johnsonwasunable tocontinuetofightinVietnam(he knewthathe wouldbe votedoutat
the nextelection) whichforcedhimtowithdraw causingthe Americanlossin Vietnam.
Anotherkeyreasonforthe failure of the AmericansinVietnamwasthe factthattheylostthe hearts
and mindsof the South Vietnamesepeople.The Americantacticsresultedinmanyinnocentpeople
beingkilled,infactitisestimatedthatforevery 1 VietCong soldierkilledthere were also 6
innocentpeople killed.Thismeantthatthe South Vietnamese people startedtostophelpingthe US
troopsand helpthe VietConginstead.Withoutthe supportof the South Vietnamese people itwas
impossible forAmericatofindoutwhothe VietCongwere andto defeatthem. Therefore, this
contributedclearlytothe US lossinthe VietnamWar.
Overall there canbe no doubtthat itwas the failure of the Americantacticsthat causedtheirlossof
the VietnamWar.Althoughthe VietCongcausedthe Americansmanyproblemsthroughtheir
tactics,the Americantacticsonlymade the situationworse.Whilstboobytrapsandambushes
causedmanyAmericancasualtiesthisalone wasnotgoingtodefeatthe Americanssince theyhada
lotof menand a lotof money.Itwas onlywhentheylostthe supportof the people of South
Vietnamandtheirownpeople thattheywere unabletocarry onfighting.Withoutthe supportof
these people noamountof money,ornumberof US troops wouldallow the Americanstowinand
thislossof supportwas causeddirectlybythe US tactics and the numberof innocentVietnamese
citizensbeingkilledeveryday.