ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a short discussion of some of the conflicting factual claims, legal arguments, and opposed conclusions dominating the analysis of the nature of the Vietnam War as well as the question of American involvement in the conflict. The character of the struggle for control of South Vietnam has been the subject of prolonged debate, directed toward the ultimate question of whether or not US military involvement there was lawful. Attitudes in the United States toward the war reflected more than political-strategic differences. The guerrilla nature of the fighting raised questions about the conduct of the hostilities. Many prowar advocates also argued that the United States should have concentrated on attacking the real source of Communist strength—North Vietnam—cutting it off from the South and gradually destroying its power. Activist nonveterans generally reported that they were deeply concerned about the American involvement in the war both politically and morally.
