Why was the Vietnam War unsuccessful for the United States?

Answer 1

US containment failed because of the Communist Superpowers (their existence) and the geography of the land being fought on. The battlefield (South Vietnam) could NOT be isolated from enemy reinforcements and supplies. As it had been during the Korean War (Korea was a Peninsula, easily controlled by the US Navy). Controlling the enemy supply routes would have involved other countries. Meaning; widening the war. Widening the war, could have caused an intervention of the one or more of the communist superpowers (as DID happen during the Korean War). So it was "fish" or "cut bait"; we cut bait.

Answer 2

The US/Allies could not stop the flow of communist men & material into South Vietnam without widening the war with Laos/Cambodia, and possibly involving the Communist Superpowers of the Soviet Union & Red China. Communist China did enter the Korean War 1950-1953, when US/Allied forces invaded North Korea. The US was intent on NOT repeating that action again.

Answer 3

1. Could not invade North Vietnam

2. Could not use nuclear weapons

3. Could not stop flow of men/material into South Vietnam

Answer 4

WW2 men, using WW2 ways (firepower), to fight an atomic age war. Atomic age wars must be fought with surgical precision; special units/special warfare/SPECIAL FORCES.

Answer 5

It failed to take account of the terrain and locals.