Author Question: Why did America lose the Vietnam War? What will be an ideal response? (Read 13 times)

Bernana · **on:** Sep 11, 2019

Question 1

To what extent were the struggles by women, Mexican Americans, and Indians continuations of the African American civil rights struggles of several years earlier?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why did America lose the Vietnam War?

What will be an ideal response?

zoeyesther · **Reply #1 on:** Sep 11, 2019

Answer 1

Students should be able to see some specific linkages. The women's rights movement was promoted by women whose consciousness about their own status had been raised while working on civil rights. Groups like NOW self-consciously modeled themselves on the NAACP. Students should be able to connect the black consciousness and Black Power movements to efforts by Chicanos to promote a positive image for Mexican Americans. They should see similarities in tactics in the bid for power by groups like La Raza.

Answer 2

Some students may debate whether the United States lost the war at all, but the fact remains that the United States could not maintain an independent, non-Communist South Vietnam. There are a variety of reasons for this. Students may wish to emphasize the resilience of the Communist forces or the growing opposition to the war at home. Others may wish to examine the role of the Tet Offensive in turning Americans against the war. Better students may also focus on Nixon's policy of Vietnamization and assess whether it was realistic. Finally, students should cover the peace agreement and why Congress chose to cut off assistance to South Vietnam after the cease-fire broke down.