Guerilla Warfare And Its Impact In Vietnam

What is it?

Image by: Gilad Rom

Sabotage, Terror

False Theories About Guerillas

According to Eqbal Ahmad, a writer and scholar, “official American interpretation of revolutionary way” (circa 1965) stated, among other things, that:

1. Guerilla movements can travel quickly compared to their respective form of government; insurgents destroy what they choose, while the government tries to rebuild and protect what is already in place.

2. Revolutionary movements are almost always caused by outside forces, not by initial interior revolt.

3. The civilian population is thought to be informants and protectors of guerillas; however, it is not uncommon for these services to be imposed by means of terror.

Corrected and Added Theories (By Ahmed)

1. Gaining popularity and approval from civilians is of upmost importance; in order to succeed, revolutionaries must have the support of the people on their side.

2. The strategy of winning on the political front: Morally isolate the current form of government. On an ethical and fundamental standpoint, have so many people agree and side with the insurgence movement that there is no reasonable return to the current government.

Corrected and Added Theories (By Ahmed)

cont.3. Revolutionary movements do not mean conspiracy. Insurgence is a result of people protesting the failure of the government to react and accommodate to rapid social change and/or the concept of modernization

4. Terror doesn’t necessarily follow a guerilla movement. It is done selectively, with the guerillas knowing it can produce negative effects.

So What?

The Problem:

The Unfortunate Effects

Image by: Carlos Latuff

To Conclude…

Guerilla Warfare requires the support of the people; the Vietcong had just that.

From the start, US theories for counterinsurgency were off. This did not help when they went to war.

The US pulled out and national shame ensued. Within two years, Vietnam was united under communist rule.