The Vietnam War Not Ended for the Nation of Vietnam - Literature review Example

Client inserts his/her name Tutor’s name Name of institution Course title Date of submission The Vietnam War has not ended for the nation of Vietnam nor its people more than 35 years after it ended Introduction During the year 1954, the Vietnam state was split into the South which was democratic and the North which was communist. Because of the differences in terms of political ideologies, a series of tragic events followed and intensified to a degree of full-blown war between the countries. Unfortunately, the participants of the war were not Vietnamese only; the war also drew the attention of Australians, Americans and other nations that took part marginally. (Anderson, 2004) According to Soames (2005), the Vietnam War was considered an American war which was fought predominantly between North Vietnamese Communist troops and South Vietnamese forces that were supported by American soldiers. The fight arose due to the struggle over whether South Vietnam should maintain a communist government. The southern democrats were largely supported by Americans and other nations who sent solders to Vietnam to dissuade communism from spreading. The involved parties led an autocratic tyranny which led to the massacre of hundreds of thousands of people. After long years of struggle, the North obtained victory which led to reunification of the country. The effects of the war were unpleasant since it exacted a great human cost of an estimated two million Vietnamese, Cambodians and Laotians. Nevertheless, it had a huge impact in all aspects of the society which include the social, economic, cultural and political issues. A lot of brutal and ghastly events of the war could be seen throughout the war scene leaving many people to suffer great losses. Many soldiers, both Vietnamese and Americans lost their lives in the war. Till now, Vietnam is struggling to re-establish itself after the mass losses and damages caused by the war on land, economy and the citizens. Why the Vietnam War never ended for its people Just like any war, the Vietnam War had terrible impacts for both the losers and winners. The country on whose land the war events covered had had impacts to date due to the damages on its ecosystem which has taken many years to heal such that it can be productive again. Besides the death of millions of people, families were hurt and generally dismantled by the aftermath of the war. Leaving with the impacts of the war makes the Vietnam people remember the events of the war as if it happened yesterday although many years have passed. Whiteclay (1999) asserts that many people who were exposed to the gallons of defoliants sprayed in Vietnam during the war by American solders suffer birth defects to date. This was done in 1962 to 1971 with the aim of destroying hiding communist suppliers who stayed in hideouts. Moreover, the chemicals were used to destroy the enemy by destroying even the crops that could be used to feed the troops. Alexander (2000) argues that scientists express the possible effects of the most dangerous component of the chemicals used- dioxin- which made people brought about health complications such as diabetes and heart diseases. Many people suffer to date and it is considered one of the most disconcerting effects of the war. According to Alexander (2000), an estimated 200 000 babies who from the 3rd generation of the war victims suffer malformations and serious birth defects majorly affecting the immune system as well as the nervous system. The percentage of the birth defects is higher in areas inhabited by the people who were exposed to the defoliant in regards to the national percentage. The high rate of birth defects includes cerebral palsy, club feet and extra fingers or toes. Cataracts are also experienced as well as skin problems and other ailments characterized by those who were exposed to the chemical directly. The impacts of the chemical persist 35 years later and thus it is impossible for the people to forget the past. Moreover, it is tough to revive the economy since the land was destroyed a great deal. The reality is that the war never ended since the effects are felt to date. In addition, America’s massive military used vicious tactics in the Vietnam War which ensured that the civilians suffered unspeakable losses. In regards to the air war, the soldiers dropped copious tons of bombs targeted napalm which hit villages. The varied bombs involved high explosives used between 1965 and 1973. The high explosive bombs continue to explode to date since most of them did not explode then as intended. They have thus caused considerable problems as the country struggles to rebuild its economy. People inhabiting the areas live in dismay and uncertainty since they never know when a bomb may explode. Nevertheless, people lose lives and property every time an accident occurs. It is really a farfetched effect of the war whose effects ought to have ended a long time ago. Unfortunately, 35 years later, people live to tell the tale of casualties experienced during the war. Kueter (2007) asserts that a multitude of people suffer from post traumatic stress disorders especially the war veterans in Vietnam. Many people who fled the country for the sake of safety live in fear because of the inhumanity they witnessed during the war. Furthermore, they dread the fact that they may develop diseases due to the dangerous chemical weapons used in the country. Many veterans suffer from the negative stereotypes that mar their activity in the war. They are known to be psychologically confounded, very bleak and most of them lack places that they call home. Moreover, most of them are involved in drug abuse because they wish to forget the trauma caused by the war. It is therefore hard for them to fully adjust to the society systems because of conflict-ridden nature of Vietnam War in which they took part in many years ago. It left a war legacy which has unique features in history. It indicates the political, social and cultural factors that those in the military go through without their consent. The Vietnamese war veterans experienced the wrath of war directly on both sides. It is a reality that the effects of the war remain glued to them for eternity. Their lives revolve around the events of the war. (Robert, 1976) In regards to Whiteclay (1999), the Vietnamese government still has a serious economic problem since it has to rely on foreign aid. The country was completely destroyed by the war in terms of its economic resources. The country is in tatters because the economy is austerely worn-out. Vietnam land is scattered with mines and unexploded bombs which pose danger to any economic activity that the country may want to be involved in. The marshlands as well as the forest reserves were completely destroyed by the defoliants and thus there is nothing to gain from land that may boost the economy of Vietnam. The main historical sites and significant buildings in the country were brought down during the war. In this regard, sites that served as tourist destinations as well as the buildings that contained administrative offices were destroyed. The nation has a long way to go in reviving its economy. Economically, the nation was massively affected causing significant damage on the Vietnamese economy. (Kueter, 2007) In reference to Anthony (1991), rebuilding the economy is difficult since the larger proportion of the population which was destroyed consist of individuals of an average age of 23.11 years. In addition, an estimated 20 000 were made of young people, in fact less that the age of 20. Most of this category consisted of the dead, seriously wounded and permanently paralyzed individuals. These people were the basis of future development and presently, they could be the most productive. It is impossible to revive the economy in such circumstances. The main challenge however is that the economic condition was greatly crushed during the war. Although the Soviet Union is playing a central role in the reconstruction of Vietnam, the destructive chemicals applied during the war may make it tougher. Agriculture is the main economic activity in many countries around the world. Vietnam could rebuild its economy by engaging in agricultural activities. However, the application of weapons and military movements used during the war resulted in massive land degradation as described by Harry (1982). Besides, the defoliants ruined biodiversity completely. The people who have survived the ordeals of the war lack the capacity to carry out economic activities. Low living standards are evident among the larger proportion of the Vietnam population. The kind of suffering that people have to endure to date makes it impractical for them to brush off the events of the war that robbed them of their serenity that they enjoyed before. Moreover, the soldiers focused on leaders and officials as well as civil servants especially school teachers. Eventually, the people who are meant to keep the nation up in regards to its economy perished in the war thus leaving an everlasting impact. The war itself was very costly and also made the country to exploit its financial savings a great deal. Worse still, a national debt was created of about $146 billion during the war. On the other hand, the population in the country currently suffers from the country’s economic crisis and many people are not able to sustain themselves due to the wars aftermath. It is impossible to forget the war and for the Vietnamese who bear its blunt, the war never ended. (Robert, 1976) All in all Vietnam was completely ruined. The basic infrastructure was destroyed extensively, thousands of people were massacred and the land’s productivity was ruined by chemical pollutants. Severe damage of the environment, loss of biodiversity and extreme human suffering has turned Vietnam into one of the poorest states in the world. The harsh tactics of search and destroy missions used by the US commanders destroyed villages thus wiping out generations. These are realities that Vietnamese citizen no choice but to live with many years after the war was denounced. (Anderson, 2004) Finally, it may be argued that the Vietnam War came to an end in terms of clearing the battle fields and the soldiers going back to their countries. However, many people subsist in the times of war, chiefly because of the never ending impacts that have made it futile for them to come to terms. 35 years after the war, people dwell in a ruined economy because they are not able to rebuild it. They experience health problems and birth deformities as well. Life is full of post war traumas fear and uncertainties. In this regard, the Vietnam War rests within the lives of scores; decades after the war fronts were cleared. (Harry, 1982) Conclusion It is clear that many people know the Vietnam War well even to date because it has carried its effects on the people for decades. The memory is cultivated within citizens in the country since there is a queer controversy surrounding the events of the war. Probably, healing has taken time due to the rot within capitalism, western imperialism and tyrannical ventures which left a multitude of people dead, wounded and others displaced. Everyone is much against its aspects because it was guided by an imperialist and tyrannical agenda whose impacts are felt to date. In reference to Harry (1982), Vietnam’s current economic position, shows that the impacts of the chemicals can be felt to date in regards to the changes in the landscape, causing diseases, creating defects in births and even poisoning the food chain. It is unbelievable how herbicides were spread over food crops to make them harmful for human consumption. It was also meant to drive the citizens to a place they thought was safer although to the army it was a controlled area where the people could be killed and tortured easily. It is thus very traumatic and lots of people live in fear and uncertainty. For many people, the war never ended. The intention of the soldiers was to clear up all living and non-living things in the country and make it completely bare. It is very disheartening to the citizens and even to the outside world. It is painful to learn how citizens were killed massively while others were left with scars and permanent disabilities (Robert, 1976). The impacts of the war were meant to be felt for a lifetime. It is factual that peace has been difficult to come by for the people of Vietnam. Truly, war is evil and can wipe out a nation completely. References Alexander, P. 2000, Agent Orange Effects Still Being Felt 25 Years after End of Vietnam War Associated Press Anderson, D. 2004, Columbia Guide to the Vietnam War. Anthony, S. C. 1991.The Economic Consequences of the Vietnam War Harry, G. S. 1982, On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War, Kueter, D. 2007, Vietnam Sons: For Some, the War Never Ended Robert, W. S. 1976, Vain Hopes, Grim Realities: The Economic Consequences of the Vietnam War. Soames, J. 2005, A History of the World, Routledge Whiteclay, J. 1999, The Oxford Companion to American Military History: The post war impact Of Vietnam. New York: Oxford UP Read More