The Vietnam War (1955-1975) essay part 2
The Vietnam War (1955-1975) essay part 1
Moreover, the importance of the Vietnam War can be assessed by the impact of the military conflict on the wider world. As the war took place during the 1960s, there were considerable changes in social politics, the emergence of the Civil Rights movement, which led to weakening of the American body politic (Wiest 5). As a result, there were serious military consequences. The war affected American behavior not only at home, but also abroad. The major military consequences of the Vietnam War that influenced the wider world and the course of the Modern World History include the transformation of international balance of military power at the global level, the establishment of Pentagon to solve issues connected with American involvement in military conflicts without getting into a disruptive war. It is crucial to get public support in military involvement of the country in order to avoid severe criticism and weakening of military power internationally. Thus, the United States has turned into a very thoughtful and careful imperial power. The role of the United States in the world politics remains significant, although the effects of the Vietnam War’s defeat are obvious, including both physical and psychological effects.
- The representation of some aspects of the event that helped to shape Modern World History
Some aspects of the Vietnam War helped to shape Modern World History. The relationship between the causes and consequences of many historical events in Modern World History influence social, economic and political development of societies. The causes and consequences of the Vietnam War can be used to assess the effectiveness of the presidencies of the U.S. presidents, and the role of media in shaping public opinions. The Vietnam War protests had a strong impact on the formation of foreign policy. In other words, public opinion could shape public policy.
There are several aspects of the event that helped to shape Modern World History, including anti-war protests, media coverage and the effects of the Vietnam War. Antiwar protests were organized by those Americans who opposed the U.S. military intervention in Vietnam. The first protests began in 1965, when the first groups of American soldiers were sent to Vietnam. The anti-war movement had a strong impact on the lengths of the war and its outcomes. The U.S Presidents believed that anti-war protests hurt the U.S. efforts in Vietnam, encouraging the enemy forces to win the war. In addition, media coverage had a strong impact on the war outcomes. These aspects of the event could shape Modern World History, providing examples of the powerful role of the public in finding solutions to the military conflict.
Moreover, the various aspects of the Vietnam War had a strong impact on domestic relationships. The economic situation in the United States was influenced by the needs of the military forces to conduct military operations in Vietnam. The costs of the military conflict made the U.S. economy weaker.
- Discussion: Would Modern World History be different if not for the occurrence of the event?
Modern World History would be different if not for the occurrence of the Vietnam War. There would be no military experience, Vietnam syndrome and other effects caused by the military conflict in Vietnam in the 1960s-1970s. The U.S. citizens would never change their beliefs and values regarding the effectiveness of government foreign policy if not for the occurrence of the event. America’s war in Vietnam can be revealed as an important international event that influenced all other countries of the world – “in domestic settings of numerous nation states, combatants and noncombatants alike, as well as in transnational relations and alliance systems” (Daum, Gardner & Mausbach 1). In addition, the reputation of the United States would not be ruined if not for the occurrence of the Vietnam War. The United States would not look weak of not for the involvement into the military conflict with such a small country as Vietnam. In other words, the Vietnam War brought the first modern military defeat for the United States (Daum et al. 1).
Moreover, Modern World History would be different if not for the U.S. military experience in Vietnam. The Vietnam War was based on the spread of guerrilla combat, as well as the use of military hardware including helicopters, which were utilized by soldiers in difficult terrain. Due to the spread of guerrilla combat, the Vietnam War was the people’s war, which did not provide strict division between the civilians and the military. In other words, the military experience in the Vietnam War influenced the tactics of other military interventions and wars, including the Gulf War (1990) and Iraq invasion (2003).
Furthermore, Modern World History would be different if not for the media coverage of the Vietnam War. The role of media was crucial in agenda setting and propaganda distribution in other military operations, including the Gulf War (1990), Iraq invasion (2003), the 9/11 attacks and invasion in Afghanistan.
Finally, Modern World History would be different if not for the role of public opinion in the establishment of foreign policy. Americans proved that public opinion could shape public policy. Although the Vietnam War was not declared because it started as a military conflict between France and North Vietnam, public opinion could stop the military intervention of the United States, providing new approaches to solving international problems.
- Conclusion
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the Vietnam War plays an important role in Modern World History. The Vietnam conflict changes the beliefs of American people regarding the effectiveness of their country’s policy. In fact, the entire nation felt upset and wary of being involved in the long-term military engagements, which took the lives of thousands of American soldiers. The significance of the Vietnam War in historical and historiographical context can be explained by the effected of the military conflict in further actions, strategies and policies of superpowers. The War in Vietnam influenced the formation of public opinion regarding foreign policy. The Vietnam War had two significant effects on Modern World History. First, people who believed in strong executive power’s influence on public opinion had to change their beliefs. Public opinion served the interest of the nation and global stability. Due to reexamination of their views, people could influence the development of future public policies. Second, American policy in Vietnam can be used in assessing the effectiveness of current foreign policies. The military experience of the United States in Vietnam influenced the nation’s confidence in the military power of the state. Modern World History would be different if not for the occurrence of the military conflict in Vietnam because the causes, consequences and effects of the war played an important role in further military operations.
Do you like this essay?
Our writers can write a paper like this for you!
(7 votes, average: 3.57 out of 5)
Loading...