The short answer to any question regarding the reasons for US withdrawal from Vietnam is that there was no hope of the USA emerging victorious from the conflict. Good answers will consider the difficulties of fighting a guerrilla war in a distant country with an extremely challenging physical environment, as well as the impact of the war on the USA’s domestic politics. The very best answers will show an appreciation of changing international relations in the early 1970s and the impact of Nixon’s policies and actions.
A clear understanding of the chronology of the conflict will help develop your explanation. The ‘strategic hamlets’ campaign, ‘zippo’ raids, ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’ and the ‘Christmas bombings’ all have a role in explaining why the USA failed to win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people, but these are not concurrent. Knowledge of when events occurred between 1964 and 1973 and the progression of events will help you to write more focused and thoughtful answers to any question explaining why the USA withdrew from Vietnam and why that withdrawal took until 1973.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
