Why did the USA lose the Vietnam War?

1. US military tactics in Vietnam
The US lost the war in Vietnam because their military tactics were not very efficient. The US military used bombing and the method of search and destroy. The chemical weapons not only hurt soldiers but civilians. Bombing alone couldn't defeat a guerilla army so a policy if search and destroy was created.This policy had many flaws. First raids were often based on inadequate information which easily allowed innocent villages to be mistaken for Viet Cong strongholds. Casualties were extremely high in the raids especially amongst civilians and unexperienced US troops who walked into traps. Finally a major downturn to the tactic of search and destroy was it made US and South Vietnamese troops very disliked by the local people, pushing them towards support for the Viet Cong. Also the military constantly kept replacing experienced soldiers with new ones. This made rookies have to face experienced guerilla fighters on their own soil. (Source 41-44)

2. The unpopularity of the South Vietnamese regime

The South Vietnamese regime quickly began losing support after the war began. Before the war even started Diem's regime, supported by the U.S., was already disliked for their ways. Diem did not respect the Buddhist religion, which most Vietnamese peasants followed. Diem's regime was also very corrupt in that he appointed family or other supporters into powerful positions.He also refused to hold elections. Even though all this occurred, still the US supported him. Even after Diem was thrown out of power and the government which took over was equally corrupt, the US still supported them. Soon the South Vietnamese peasants formed the Viet Cong to rebel. (Source 33, 34)

3. The experience of the Viet Cong and the inexperience of the American soldiers

Viet Cong troops grew up in the area and became well aware of their environment. When the war started they new their surroundings and fought constantly to gain experience. They did not stop fighting unless they had to due to an injury or were killed. American soldiers were constantly being replaced after one year. So once the soldier finally began becoming experienced and could do his job well enough, he was sent home and replaced by fresh meat. Especially because of the US military tactic of search and destroy, inexperienced US troops often walked into traps. (Source 43)

4. Domestic opposition to the war in the U.S.
Media played a large role in the Vietnam War to gain American sympathizers against war. Through pictures and radio and televised broadcasts, people back home could see exactly what was going on. The media depicted the effects of the use of chemical weapons and bombings. They also showed the brutality of the South Vietnamese to innocents civilians. This began affecting Americans at home. Those drafted decided to dodge it and hundreds of students began demonstrations at universities all over the country. Some were deadly like the one at Kent State University. The My Lai Massacre only gained more American sympathy for civilians and caused Americans to become vigorously fighting against further warfare. (Source 47, 49, 50)

5. Chinese and Soviet support for the Viet Cong
The Chinese and Soviets supplied the Viet Cong with an ample amount of weapons. Geographically China surrounds all of Vietnam so the only way for the US to reach North Vietnam was through Vietnam or from the coast. The USSR had nuclear weapons so it wouldn't have been a smart move for the U.S. to attack using nuclear missiles.

6. 'But did they really lose?' Summarize the argument put forward in Source 57, and your view on it.
Source 57 suggests that the American did not really lose in Vietnam. First the US forces did not actually lose any battles and the Tet Offensive was considered to be a major victory. The next argument is that the South Vietnamese lost the war in Vietnam an not the US. The US fought to an agreed stalemate then left the country. The fall of South VIetnam happened two years after the American military left. Also when the fall of South Vietnam occurred it was civilians and Vietnamese military fleeing for their lives and not the American military.