“The Vietnam War ended as a result of the domestic effects that it caused in the United States.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the Vietnam War ended as a result of the domestic effects that it caused in the United States. Candidates may refer to the shock of the Tet Offensive in 1968 leading to credibility issues for the Johnson administration, implementation of the draft that greatly increased opposition to the war, revelations of atrocities such as the My Lai Massacre, Kent State and Jackson State shootings, growth of anti-war protests, substantial increase in US deaths (58 000 by the end of the war), and the revelations of the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example awareness of the corruption of the South Vietnamese government, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The claim that the Vietnam War ended as a result of domestic factors was a quite popular choice. There were many candidates who developed the domestic events and issues but provided strong counter arguments that focused on the strength of the enemy or the weakness of the South Vietnamese government. Unfortunately, there were many instances of candidate's developing counter arguments without addressing the role of domestic factors. For those that did describe domestic factors, there was often insufficient linkage to the end of the war.