Comparison of Philippine Insurrection and Vietnam War

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There are many similarities and differences between the Philippine Insurrection of the late nineteenth century and the Vietnam War of the late twentieth century. Types of warfare and atrocities committed during both conflicts are comparable, while factors such as war objectives and motivations differ greatly. I personally feel that the United States had a better cause for fighting the Vietnam War, even though it was our first major military defeat. Despite the American loss, it was more worthwhile to fight in the Vietnam War than in the Philippine Insurrection because the United States had a more laudable reason for involvement. American involvement in the Philippine crisis represented a brave new step for the country because it had emerged from its former state of isolation. However, by the time the Vietnam War began, America felt obligated to participate simply because it was the most powerful nation in the world militarily and had much experience in warfare and foreign relations.

Vietnam struggled for its independence from France in the First Indochina War. It was divided into North Vietnam, which fell under the control of Communists, and South Vietnam, which attempted to establish a republican form of government. The Northern Vietnamese were determined to reunite Vietnam under Communist rule. However, the United States subscribing to the “Domino Theory” was determined to prevent this from occurring (Encarta). Essentially, this theory stated that if one country fell under Communist rule, then many others would follow in a chain reaction, or domino effect (Encarta). The United States was resolute upon containing communism and spreading capitalism and democracy, and therefore supported South Vietnam’s resistance to...

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