Dylan Sweet
Mr. Wise
Int. Relations
26 January 2023
Presentation Reflection: Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a long and costly conflict in which the United States intervened to
support South Vietnam against the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies. The
reasons for the US intervention were primarily to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast
Asia and to protect the independence of South Vietnam. However, the war ultimately ended in a
stalemate and a loss for the US, with the fall of Saigon and the unification of North and South
Vietnam under communist rule.
The war had an impact on US foreign policy, leading to a reevaluation of the country's
interventionist approach and a shift towards a more cautious foreign policy. It also had a
significant impact on domestic politics because it caused widespread protests and social
disturbance. The war also had a devastating impact on the people of Vietnam, with an estimated
3 million Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans killed. The war also had a long-term impact on the
country's economy and development, as the government focused on rebuilding and reunifying
the country in the years following the war.
The US intervention in Vietnam can be compared to the US invasion of Afghanistan in
2001, as both conflicts were developed due to the fear of the spread of extremist ideologies and
the want/need to maintain national security. However, the intervention in Afghanistan has been
prolonged for a longer period of time, and the effects on the country and its people have been
severe. Both interventions have had a significant impact on US foreign policy and the countries
where the wars took place.