The Second Indochina Conflict

Important Study Notes
The Second Indochina War
The Ten Components of the War
The Second Indochina War (1961 -75), commonly known as the Vietnam War, was a complex issue which culminated in the reunification of North and South Vietnam. The war is best understood by recognising its ten component parts:
A Cold War Conflict – The Vietnam War was the largest chapter in the Cold War. America and its allies supported South Vietnam; the USSR, China and other communist nations provided aid to North Vietnam and the Viet Cong.
An Ideological Conflict – American democratic ideals confronted the issue of communism in South Vietnam. Washington vowed to contain the spread of communism in Asia and avoid the scenario outlined by the “domino theory”.
A Media Conflict - As no formal declaration of war existed between Hanoi and Washington strict rules of censorship did not apply. Accurate American reporting of the war became an issue by 1968. Sensationalist media editorials were generated by North Vietnam and the Viet Cong, which complimented their strategies.
A Territorial Conflict – The Allied forces fought extensive campaigns against the North in an attempt to deny them one of the most crucial goals of the war: control of the countryside and the hearts and minds of the people.
A Technological Conflict – The United States experimented with a vast amount of military hardware, gadgets, inventions and weapons of mass destruction.
A Homefront Conflict – Community support for American and Australian war efforts in Vietnam became a critical issue in the late 1960’s.
A People’s Conflict – Winning the support of the Vietnamese people was a major challenge that all armies in the war had to face. Propaganda determined the final outcome of where the public stood on the war.
A Civil War – The war was waged between the people of North and South Vietnam. Both sides espoused their own definition of patriotism and nationalism, but the war would be won by the side with the stronger sense of purpose and dedication.
A Secret War in Laos – The United States created a vast network of Laotian tribal militia to destroy the North Vietnamese sanctuaries in Laos. This led to a previously neutral Laos to be devastated.
The Destruction of Cambodia – Pol Pot pursued an Ideological dream that resulted in the death of 1.7 Million Cambodians.
Both Sides: Strengths and Weaknesses
The United States and Its Allies
Allies – The United States, South Vietnam, South Korea, Australia, Thailand.
Total Force – 1,355,254
Goals – To preserve South Vietnam’s independence by defeating the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Armies. Theoretically the defeat of these armies would lead to North Vietnam’s surrender. A ‘new’ Vietnam, sponsored by the United States, from Hanoi to Saigon.
Advantages:
US forces were numerically superior to those of the North.
They had unlimited firepower and resources.
Disadvantages:
Aside from the South Vietnamese, America’s allies could not communicate to the people, because of the language barrier.
They had little knowledge of Vietnam’s diverse geography, which included jungles, swamp, mountains, rainforests and oppressive climatic conditions.
The massive use of firepower resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of non-combatants. This destroyed their credibility amongst the rural peasants.
All of the US forces had no knowledge of Guerrilla warfare, except for Australia.
Military operations, usually involved helicopters, were restricted to daylight hours. Many American tactics became predictable because of their size, noise and enormous logistical back-up systems.
US propaganda attacked the concept of communism as evil but these claims could not be verified after the war.
These allies had no emotional cause that complimented Vietnam’s traditions.
Little support in rural Vietnam
The initial war was set for six years. The war dragged out and cost the Americans money.
North Vietnam and the Viet Cong
Total Force – 755,000
Goals – To unify North and South as one nation by defeating America and its allies. This was their all-consuming quest.
Advantages:
No language barrier, therefore ongoing communication with the rural community.
Knowledge of Topography and adapted to climate easily.
Damage of US firepower became an asset as they could sympathise with the people’s hardships.
Extensive knowledge of Guerrilla warfare, including mines, booby traps, harassment devices and cover tactics.
Troops were silent and unpredictable who attacked mainly at night hours.
Nationalism, patriotism and communism were carefully interwoven into anew resistance mentality.
Believed in their cause
Popular in rural areas.
Did not care how long the war would take. Though money was an issue, but investments from China and Russia kept the war effort alive.
Disadvantages:
Forces were outnumbered
Did not possess the firepower and resources of the United States
Ho Chi Minh Trail
The Tet Offensive