Question

Identify and explain the US objectives in the Vietnam War and why they failed to prevent the Communist takeover of South Vietnam?

Answer 1

There is a contention of Vietnam being one of many countries that are part of "Rimland", as defined by many geo-political analysts as a mass of land which will give its occupier control over almost the entire world. Rimland, supposed to be conceptualized by American strategists, is a set of countries which engulf geographically and politically important locations which can give dominating position to the country which controls it.
Ironically the gulf countries, Combodia, South-Korea are all part of Rimland which have also seen American intervention. Vietnam might be a part of this imperialistic ideology, even though various other reasons would have been given by American government.
Although there is no concrete proof of this theory but the situation can be seen in the light of this idea .

Answer 2

two words: guerilla warfare. (in reference to the failed prevention part of the question) plus the communist backing of NVA with decreased support stateside

Answer 3

One of the main US objectives in the Vietnam War was to stop the spread of communism. That was the essential goal. They did not want communism to spread into Europe. Even though the Southern Vietnam leader was corrupt and abused his power, the US supported him because he was fighting against communism. Eventually, however, they turned it back over to the Vietnamese and withdrew from the war. South Vietnam lost to North Vietnam. Communism won. The North had many resources to help them out, and I'd agree with the person above me about guerilla warfare.

Answer 4

the vietnam war ended because The US, S. Viet, N. Viet. came to a cease fire agreement with the paris peace accords. They recognized each countries existence. The U.S. pulled out of Vietnam. The North invaded the south violating the peace accords (surprise surprise) The North knew that once the US left they were never coming back. So there was really nothing to prevent them from conquering the south. Legislation in the congress also defunded the war and basically made it illegal for american troops to set foot in Vietnam via the anti war democrat side. and as for the objectives look up the theories of containment and domino theory...

Answer 5

One of the biggest problems with the war in Vietnam is that the US was fighting to stop the spread of communism while Vietnam was fighting for their independence. Communism was just a byproduct of that.

Answer 6

@ A_clan - the Rimland concept is from Nicholas Spykman, a Dutchman.