The Continuing Implications of the Vietnam War

Even though nearly three decades have come and gone since the end of the Vietnam War, its effect on contemporary society signifies that the war is still fresh in many people’s memories. The consequences and memories of war still influence many aspects of both Asian and American culture. Politicians and all American citizens all still analyze and struggle with their memories of the first time in history where America was unable to defeat an enemy who they believed they were fighting a typical war with. A few concrete lessons emerged after an end to the fighting was finally achieved, however, the debate over the memory of the war is subjective, and will probably continue for as long as history is studied. Immediately after the conclusion of the war, the countries political leaders had already begun analyzing the consequences that would emerge and lessons that America could use for years to come. 

Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter both reflected on the lessons of the war, encouraging leaders of future military endeavors to help and assist like-minded countries but to let them fight their own battles; and to not discard American values in the place of those of our adversaries. Gerald Ford had confidence that the lessons learned from the Vietnam experience will help in future military operations; and that as a freedom-touting country we carry an obligation to ourselves to protect that freedom. Mixed opinions existed twenty years ago, and probably still do today about whether America was right to participate in the Vietnam War. Divisiveness between U.S. citizens still exists when it comes to the memory of the war experience. Richard Nixon made a statement defending America’s use of military force in his 1985 book No More Vietnams. He wrote, “One lesson we must learn from Vietnam is that if we do not exercise power for the good, there are plenty of men like Ho Chi Minh, Le Duan, Khieu Samphan, and Pol Pot who will gladly exercise it for evil purposes.