Vietnam War
Vietnam War was the most prolonged military battle within the history of the United States. It occurred in 1959 and ended on April 30, 1975. Vietnam War was also referred as the Second Indochina War. The war was between the communist North Vietnam with South Vietnam. Over 1.4 millions of military personnel along with two millions civilians were killed. The war ended with defeat of South Vietnam in addition, Vietnam was unified (Vietnam online 1).
Vietnam was divided between Communist North and anti-Communist South. Within 1956, American backed South Vietnam on denying holding unification elections that was held in the country. This led the Viet Cong to battle the South Vietnamese government that had decided not do their voting. During Vietnam War, anti-Diem groups banded together and formed Viet Cong, which was a group against U.S. By 1960s, the Viet Cong had evolved into National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. This was because; Viet Cong’s used various tactics to win the battle such as guerrilla warfare and propaganda. Wide varieties of weapons were used. Anti-personnel explosives, M1 carbine, MIG fighter planes along with surfaces for airing missiles were deployed. On the other hand, the US authorized the use of chemicals that were to be used in destroying the vegetation in South Vietnam. Nevertheless, their plan backfired in relocating Vietnamese, which later led them to join Cong in droves.
The air strikes became more frequent along with air strikes that often increased. Defoliant chemicals for instance Agent orange were used in destroying trees in addition, bombings destroyed many buildings with many lives been destroyed In 1956, terrorist attacks and kidnappings began, which studies assumes was started by Ho Chi Minh. Additionally, rape cases were all over with hundreds of thousands of women been victims.
All people from young, Children and old prayed for peace in ending the Vietnam War in addition, all religions made it a routine in meditations of peace intervention. Life became difficult that made many to flee from that country.
Reasons that made the entire company of soldiers to commit such atrocities in Vietnam War
According to The My Lai Massacre (1), Atrocities wars are always present in all conflicts. For instance, in Vietnam War, a number of companies of soldiers committed atrocities because of different reasons. For instance, the My Lai Massacre was the worst incidence within American war crime. The village with the surrounding area was assaulted to clear Viet Cong that were operating within that area. This group of Americans soldiers killed over 500 innocent men, children and babies in Lai. Women were sexually assaulted and beaten before being killed; mothers were shot holding their infants with their bodies and their carcasses were dumped into wells to poison the water. Additionally, children were raped and later were killed; several old men were bayoneted with many people shot when praying.
Various reasons contributed to this atrocities that included insensitivity because of high civilian causalities that was caused by bombardment with dehumanizing of Vietnamese through racial attitudes. Military officials blamed the inequities of draft policy from which, they were forced to select leaders. Many believed that, if the educated middle class had joined the fight, then they would never been issuing of orders.
Other reasons have been to revenge in that, when the 11th brigade of America Division entered Vietnamese village of Lai, their superior officer said it was time for their search and killing. It was proved by Calley who testified that he was ordered to kill everyone by Captain Ernest Medina.
The reaction of the American public towards Vietnam War
The American public reactions differed on Vietnam War. Some argued that, its government’s officials was helping repel Communist aggression of the north. They believed it was a secure of settlement, which would permit Vietnam people to choose their own government. In achieving this, the country was controlling military measures that would not take innocent lives or else result to active participation through China or Soviet Union.
As the America n government got involved, some people were discontented with their nation’s war strategy. Many described it as hawks arguing that the United States would use all military force in gaining a quick victory. Others critics argued that, the conflict within Vietnam was an important right in a civil war through which United States never had any right in interfering. Some people demanded for American withdrawal, while others wanted the gradual detachment from the war.
Other critics of the war viewed that, the use of bombs by American was too indiscriminate in that punished many lives. Among the victims that suffered from the war were children and innocent civilians that perished severely. As if this was not enough, many buildings were destroyed, plants were burned which in return led to the many loosing their properties.
The revelation of the fact that United States troops of 1968 had massacred whole population of My Lai caused many controversial on how the war was being fought. This led to many Demonstrations in the United States in protesting the war.
Work cited
Vietnam Online. American experience. Retrived on 30th March 2011, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/trenches/my_lai.html#top, 1968. Print
The My Lai Massacre. Nation: The My Lai Massacre. Retrived on 30th March 2011, from
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,840403,00.html, 1969. Print
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