Introduction
This essay examines the causes of the Vietnam War, including the role of Cold War politics and the failure of US strategy. It will also explore how the war affected the communities involved. The fear of communist ideology caused the war and severely impacted the community by promoting death, mental disease, and profound disillusionment.
Causes of the Vietnam War
As an official body to communicate the nation’s plans, the US Department of Defense is a relevant and valuable source of strategic information. Still, it might have biases to demonize the opposing side. The US decision to engage in the conflict stemmed from the fear of the communist ideology that kept getting popular in Southeast Asia (United States Department of Defense 1967, 4). It also highlights the lack of a clear strategy and the limited understanding of Vietnam’s cultural and political dynamics.
Furthermore, the work by Colonel Harry G. Summers Jr. explains the Vietnam War as a failure of strategy (Summers 1982, 52). He argues that the US failed to understand the nature of the conflict, and the military could not adapt to the Viet Cong’s tactics (Summers 1982, 52). As a military operations decision-maker participating in the discussed war, Summers is a valuable and relevant source, but his obligations to the country might affect his sincerity.
The Impact of the War on the Community
To continue, Philip Caputo’s “A Rumor of War” provided a first-hand account of the impact of the Vietnam War on soldiers, thus bearing relevance to the topic. The book depicts the psychological toll the conflict took on the soldiers and the disillusionment many felt upon returning home (Caputo, 1977, p. 216). The soldiers often struggled with PTSD and other psychological issues, and the war impacted their lives. The selected book offers a detailed overview of the American soldier’s mental transformation during the war, thus representing a valuable historical source. Still, its limitations might include biases against the Vietnamese party.
The impact of the war was felt not only in terms of its immediate human toll but also through its lasting effects on the economies, cultures, and political systems of Vietnam and the United States. The armed conflict brought misery to soldiers’ and civilians’ families, killing millions of people. The impact of the war on the Vietnamese people is still felt today, with many suffering from disabilities and congenital disabilities.
Conclusion
Finally, the Vietnam War significantly impacted both the American soldiers and the Vietnamese people. The causes of the war were rooted in fears of communism and a lack of understanding of Vietnam’s cultural and political dynamics. In terms of influences, the conflict created a series of adverse health effects aside from the loss of life.
References
Caputo, Philip. 1977. A Rumor of War. New York: Henry Holt and Co. Web.
Summers, Harry G., Jr. 1982. On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War. Novato, Presidio Press. Web.
United States Department of Defense. 1967. “Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force.” Vietnam Veteran Association. Web.