Lessons learned from the Vietnam War

Introduction

The Vietnam War ended in 1973 and to-date most American believe that America should not have been a participant in the war. Unfortunately, in 1963, America, under President Johnson’s administration, joined the Vietnam War. American supported South Vietnam by sending American troops, supplies and weaponry to fight against South Vietnam. The Vietnam War continued for more than 19years through Vietnam into disarray. The Vietnam War provides America with critical lessons that they must learn. This paper addresses the main lesson that America learned from the war.

Body

Diplomatic negotiations

The Vietnam War taught Americans the importance of diplomatic negotiations. Diplomatic negotiations describe discussions involving negotiations and talks whose intentions are to produce an agreement. When reviewing the concept of diplomatic negotiation, in relation to the Vietnam War, the most important thing I have learned that warring groups do not willingly embrace negotiations efforts. The hatred and animosity between warring groups or countries can protract a war. I have learned that warring groups agree to negotiate when circumstances force them to do so. I f, for instance, a nation involved in war risk losing support from other nations, it can opt to engage in negotiations with their enemies (Young, 2014).

Conflicting parties agree to negotiate if there is pressure or there is some degree of benefit from engaging in diplomatic negotiation. The Vietnam War extended for many years because neither North nor South Vietnam was willing to negotiate. The two regions believed that they could achieve more through warfare. However, by 1972, North America began to experience the adverse effects of bombs dropped in their region. America had joined South Vietnam and the North experienced increased warfare, loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure. North Vietnam agreed to enter into negotiations with South Vietnam thus marking the start of the journey toward the end of the war (Phillips, 2013).

Presidential Leadership

Presidents are the leaders of the nation. The presidents must lead his nations with skill and charisma and engage in effective leadership. What I learned from the concept of presidential leadership, in relation to the Vietnam War is that the president has the power to aggravate or to calm a volatile situation. Prior to the election of Johnson as the president, America maintained a hands-off approach, in relation to the Vietnam War. In the 1950’s president, Eisenhower declared that America would not send troops to Vietnam. The presidents instead offered equipment and advising consultants. In 1961, when President John Kennedy came to power, the South Vietnam pressurized him to send troops. However, presidents Kennedy refused their request and offered more security advisers. It is evident that presidents perceived the Vietnam War as an Asian war that they should not interfere. Unfortunately, when President Johnson took over as president of America, he sent military troops to support South Vietnam.

To-date, the public criticizes his decision as it resulted in the death of over 500000US soldiers. It is evident that the president made the wrong decision which led in the death of American soldiers (Phillips, 2013). American had nothing to gain through its participation in the Vietnam War and thus the fatalities and life-long injuries experienced by the soldiers was a waste. The concept of presidential leadership demonstrates the critical influence the presidency has over the direction of nations. To-date, America’s participation in the Vietnam War, remains the most regretful decisions that America ever made.

Cultural/Social Context

When reviewing the cultural and social context of the Vietnam War, the main lesson learned is that the public has the authority to influence a decision. When American began to support South Vietnam, the American public was largely supportive. However, when the young American soldiers began to return home in body bags, the public pressure grew as American demanded an end to America’s participation in the Vietnam War. The average age of the American soldier, in Vietnam, was 19 years. The public began to realize that their children were dying at a tender age from a war that American has no benefits. Additionally, the wounded soldiers who returned from the Vietnam war receive little support thus struggled to adjust, in the society. In 1973, President Nixon signed a ceasefire marking the end of the hostilities, in Vietnam. The public has the power to demand better leadership (Young, 2014). I have learned that the public has the final word when it comes to making decisions that influence the nation. The American public was displeased with the unnecessary deaths resulting from the Vietnam War and pressurized the government to end the war.

Conclusion

From a historian’s perspective, I have learned the importance of learning from our past mistakes. The engagement in the Vietnam War was erroneous. Unfortunately, the American government appears not determined to learn from its mistakes. The invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan fuelled the animosity from the Arab world and today, America struggles with the problem of terrorism. Terrorist continue to attack America and other western nations and their allies as revenge for the invasion of the Arab countries.

Reference

Young, R. (2014). Lessons of Vietnam. PBS Frontline

Phillips, R. (2013). Why Vietnam matters: A witness account. Naval Institute Press

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