Vietnam War, Effect on American Success in Cold War

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Cold War In the mid 1940’s, a war begun between the Western world, led by the United States, and the communist world, led by the Soviet Union, in a struggle for power and domination. By the end of the Cold War, around the late 1980’s, the United States claimed victory despite never having once engaged in direct military action. The goal of the United States and its NATO allies had been reached- communism had been contained. Many events and wars occurred during the Cold War period that contributed to the victory of the United States; however, the main cause of western success can be traced to the Vietnam War. Fearing a communist overtake in Southeast Asia, the United States began to send troops to Vietnam in the 1950’s. The US avoided a direct attack on Vietnam or the Soviet Union as to evade the possible outbreak of WWIII. South Vietnam was supported by the United States; Northern Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Union. The Viet Cong, the political organization/army of the Northern Vietnamese in favor of communist rule and domination, issued many attacks against the anticommunist Southern Vietnamese territory, majority of which resulted in copious amounts of death and damages. Upon seeing the underestimated strength of the rivaling powers, the United States had to rethink their strategies and tactics used when dealing with the USSR and Vietnamese powers. This realization that there was a possibility of failure on the United States part led to major changes in the Cold War. The United States understood the strength of those who they were dealing with and recognized they were going to have to improve their military tactics and technology in order to end the war victorious. Eventually, the United States withdrew from Vietnam. Despite the signing of a treaty that promised peace and future elections, the Viet Cong attacked, and a weakened South Vietnam fell to the
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