Learning+from+History

Many say that we must learn from history so we don't repeat the past, but rather learn from our mistakes. What can be learned from the Vietnam War? What do historians suggest that are the critical "take-aways" or lessons that emerge from this war? Please make sure your information is clear, concise and proofread before posting.

Kristen, Laura, Emily Military - The U.S civilian and military leadership underestimated the nature of the war and the capabilities of the enemy, the North Vietnamese, as well as their goals - “You can kill ten of my men for every one I kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose and I will win” (Ho Chi Minh, main leader of the North Vietnamese) - The United States forced South Vietnam to adopt a democracy · Got the Congo even more mad, which made the war even more difficult to fight and win - An important lesson is that military leaders and advisors must meet before the war to decide how much force should be applied towards the enemy and where the force should be applied in order to ensure that the proper amount and place of force is applied to keep from backfiring on the U.S - North Vietnam did not have any major buildings or centers of military control, therefore the Americans bombed roads, bridges and major transportation centers. However, these targets could be quickly repaired, moved or reconstructed. Therefore, the U.S military’s bombing efforts were essentially a waste of time and money Media - The U.S government lied to the people of America; gave Americans false hope for winning the war because they did not want to worry American people - The U.S government never officially declared war until much later, which the Vietnamese took full advantage of History - The U.S military did not understand the past experience that had gone on. - When the French, the Japanese and the Chinese tried to gain control over Vietnam, it forced a strong national resistance that the U.S was not prepared for
 * Learning from History**

Mariney, USMC, Major Clarence. "Vietnam: Lessons Learned." Globalsecurity.org. Web. []
 * Works Cited** (in MLA format)

Young, Rick. "Lessons of Vietnam." //PBS//. PBS. Web. 20 May 2010. [].

Mariel and India - The United States were not used to the environmental conditions in Vietnam(tropical) which lead to a disadvantage - The troops of the US weren't informed of what they were actually fighting for in Vietnam so many were just shooting around aimlessly - VietCong used tunnels to get around therefore it became hard for american troops to locate them- prolonged the war - VietCong also disguised booby traps so that the us wouldn't find them causing many casualties - They used gorilla warfare - The United States government lied to the citizens of the united states about the primary reasons for the war which caused further turmoil within the nation --> Pentagon Papers - it was a military based economy - They didn't spend much on anything else besides military funding which caused the economy to progressively get worse - Many anti-war protests broke out yet the government ignored them and acted violently against them which caused more turmoil - can't force another country to become a democratic country - shouldn't go into a country without any background on climate and environment - investigate and figure out if the people of the country actually want to change their government - shouldn't lie to the public in your own country. All it will do is cause problems. **
 * Military **
 * Media **
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 * Society **
 * Lessons