Vietnam & IraqIs there a parallel?

A look comparing & contrasting the 2 wars

Causes

Vietnam• Stop spread of communism

and Ho Chi Minh’s tyranny• U.S.S. Maddox incident

Iraq• Stop the tyrant government

of Saddam Hussein• 9/11 incident used as

justification

How do the troop levels and casualties compare?

Vietnam

• U.S. Involvement 1950-1975• Started as only military advisers

being sent. By 1969, over 500,000 American troops were in Vietnam

• Nearly 58,000 American soldiers died.

• 153,000 wounded• 30% of US troops develop ptsd

Iraq• U.S. invasion March 20, 2003-present.• Troops in Iraq – highest total Aug.

2007: 162,000. As of February 28, 2010: 98,000. As of May 2011: 46,000. All other nations have withdrawn their troops.

• U.S. Troop Casualties - 4,450• Wounded - 32,075• 15-20% of US troops develop serious

mental health problems within 3 to 4 months of returning home

How Americans viewed the war

Similarities• In both conflicts public support

weakened as time elapsed.• Both experienced a

creditability gap because of images displayed on TV. Media played a role in the diminishing public opinion.

Differences• In Vietnam conflict the

support of military leaders and soldiers weakened. Soldiers treated with indifference and even hostility when returned home.

• In Iraq, although approval of the war has decreased, the public continues to support troops and welcome them home.

Public Opinion

Vietnam• Support for the war was at

its height in 1965 when the U.S. government pushed for support in sending more troops to Vietnam.

• After three years a negative opinion of the war bypassed the positive support

• Mostly negative opinion after eight years of war.

Public Opinion

Iraq• March 2003: 22%

Americans say U.S. led invasion was a bad decision. 75% supported the invasion.

• April 2007: 58% felt the invasion was a mistake.

• Nov. 2008: 63% disprove the war in Iraq.

Views of the War & Military

Protest Movements• Although both wars lost public support

as time went on, the protesting against the Vietnam war created a lot of social upheaval.– Vietnam protesting divided the U.S..

There were numerous protests across the nation, especially on college campuses.

– Vietnam protests were on media regularly.

• Many youth protested Vietnam because of the draft. – If there was a draft enacted for Iraq,

do you think there were be more protesting?

Other Similarities

1) The goals for both wars led U.S. to fight in other neighboring countries.– Vietnam: U.S. invasion and bombing of Cambodia.– Iraq: Involved in war in Afghanistan and attacking terrorist

outposts in Pakistan. as well, as part of war on terrorism.2) Both wars fought primarily with U.S troops– Vietnam: French pulled out of area quickly.– Iraq: Coalition forces have all pulled troops out of area.

Other Similarities

3) Both wars fought on the Asian Continent which caused difficulty for U.S. troops.- Vietnam in Southeast Asia (Jungle Fighting)- Iraq in the Middle East (Sandstorms) - Both were far away from American soil

4) American air power and advanced weapons did not lead to quick victory.- Air power used to destroy supplies, buildings and troops.- Enemy fought in a “guerilla” style.

5) Financial Cost of War- Vietnam War $120 billion. Ended LBJ’s Great Society and also put U.S. in debt.-Iraq $900billion (As of Nov 2011), with a huge U.S. debt and economic problems on the home front.

Other Differences• Recruitment of soldiers– Vietnam used a draft– Iraq used enlisted and volunteer soldiers.

• Tours of Duty– Vietnam: Serve one tour and you are done.– Iraq: Multiple tours of duty without soldier’s choice.

• Improved and advanced weapons, body armor and medical treatment for Iraq War.– Does this play a role in there being less casualties?– Also a reason for such a greater financial cost.

• Age of Soldier– Vietnam 19– Iraq 27

Will the Outcomes Compare?

South Vietnam fell quickly after U.S. withdrew all troops from Vietnam. Will Iraq?

Today, we have a diplomatic relationship with Vietnam… will we have good relations with Iraq in the future?