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Reasons the USA lost the Vietnam War - South Vietnam weaknesses
- 1. The Cold War 1945-1989 Weaknesses of South Vietnam Reasons the USA lost the Vietnam War
- 2. Weaknesses of South Vietnam In today’s class I am learning to: • Describe problems faced by the government of South Vietnam • Analyse the extent to which these led to the USA’s defeat in Vietnam
- 3. Weaknesses of South Vietnam In the early years of the Vietnam War, South Vietnam was led by Ngo Dinh Diem. Diem’s government was seen as extremely corrupt; at times it refused to hold elections and was staffed by members of Diem’s family.
- 4. Weaknesses of South Vietnam South Vietnam was religiously divided. Although most people were Buddhist (70%- 90%), Diem and members of the government were Catholic. The government often discriminated against Buddhists.
- 5. Weaknesses of South Vietnam For instance, Diem’s government allowed Catholic flags to be flown, but not Buddhist flags. Catholics were also favoured in employment and promotions, land distribution and tax breaks.
- 6. Weaknesses of South Vietnam Diem’s government faced many revolts, including self- immolation. Diem imposed harsh measures to try and stop this, including mass arrests and killings of religious and political opponents.
- 7. Weaknesses of South Vietnam Diem’s government led to a divided South Vietnam, and meant ordinary people would not support him, or the USA. Losing the support of the majority of Vietnam’s population made US victory impossible.
- 8. Weaknesses of South Vietnam However Diem’s actions eventually ended his rule. A Buddhist rebellion in 1963 led to Diem’s assassination. The US CIA were involved the killing, hoping a new government would be better supported.
- 9. Weaknesses of South Vietnam Many South Vietnam Army generals were poorly trained, or acted without following orders. Many South Vietnam Army soldiers deserted (left) the army: 113,000 did this in 1965.
- 10. Weaknesses of South Vietnam American officials criticised South Vietnam’s army, saying they were: “weak in dedication, direction, and discipline” “content to let the Americans do the fighting and dying”
- 11. Weaknesses of South Vietnam South Vietnam army soldiers did not trust their military leaders, leading to desertions, making it harder for remaining soldiers to fight. Better motivated Communist forces then found victory easier to achieve.
- 12. Weaknesses of South Vietnam However, South Vietnam’s army was still larger than North Vietnam’s army (late-1960s, SVA, 850,000; NVA, 690,000). South Vietnam should still have been able to win the war.
- 13. Weaknesses of South Vietnam To stop the Vietcong hiding amongst peasants, the South Vietnam government introduced Strategic Hamlets. 8600 armed villages were set up across Vietnam, with peasants forced to move there.
- 14. Weaknesses of South Vietnam Being forced to live in the Hamlets angered people for many reasons. It was often further from their rice fields, forcing them to travel. Others resented leaving behind their ancestors’ graves.
- 15. Weaknesses of South Vietnam South Vietnamese peasants were very angry at being forced to move from their homes. This led to them not helping US forces, or even joining groups like the Vietcong, hurting US chances of Vietnam victory.
- 16. Weaknesses of South Vietnam Despite the Strategic Hamlet programme causing peasant anger, it did it make it harder for the Vietcong to hide. This limited the VC’s ability to fight, until the project was ended in 1964.