An argument for the communists would be that the people in the South were unhappy with their leaders for not implementing reforms. However, it was evident to Ho Chi Minh that he had to initiate the insurgency in the South in order to reunite the country. Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh, who led the forces to chase out the Japanese during World War II, had already declared Vietnam an independent country shortly after the Japanese surrender, but yet, the United Nations did not recognise it and instead allowed the World War II Allied forces to split the country into two parts. Even after the French returned, Ho Chi Minh's forces still chased them out with the help of the PRC, and with the fear that Ho Chi Minh, under the direction of the Soviet Union, would take over Vietnam, and subsequently the whole of Indochina, as predicted by the Domino Theory.
In another point of view, this is also seen as nationalistic rather than communist as following many revolutions in the early 20th century, many nationalists in Southeast Asia, such as Ho Chi Minh, have stood up and fought for their independence. The Vietnam War, was inevitable if Vietnam were to be reunified and free from foreign occupation/intervention.
How did the West react to this?
America, fearing that the domino theory might be true after all, installed a pro-American government in South Vietnam and brought some military aid over following the insurgency in the South.
Gradually, as the years went on and with a change in Presidents back in the United States, the military sent to Vietnam became more and the United States got more involved in the North-South Vietnam "quarrels" and sent in more troops to expand the war.
Initially, the people were supportive of Kennedy & Johnson sending troops in to assist the South Vietnamese as after all, if communism spread, the whole of Asia might fall into communist hands. America and her allies from SEATO brought troops in, but it did not help as the North Vietnamese were better trained despite the Americans having the numerical and technological advantage.
Following a series of defeats and ill-trained troops from South Vietnam and other incidents, the Americans back in America protested against US involvement in the Vietnam War, and during Nixon's presidency, the Congress of the United States banned military aid to Vietnam after 1973. Without America, South Vietnam was doomed to die, while Nixon could only stand and watch.
Vietnam, similar to Korea, maybe small, but it did have an influence on surrounding countries after the North communists took over the country as Laos overthrew their royalist government and Cambodia who did likewise. This shows that a small country may pale in size to the United States, but yet, with the success of the Vietnam War, the communists have inspired and helped two other communist regimes in Southeast Asia (SEA).
Post By Ivan Tee
Post By Ivan Tee
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