The USA became involved in Vietnam because it feared the spread of communism. The USA were unable to defeat the Vietcong, and met with growing opposition to the war at home.
Across the world, the USA's reputation had been tarnished. It was criticised for supporting a corrupt government and the media had shown the world how brutal American tactics were.
Approximately 58,000 American soldiers were killed and another 153,000 were wounded.
The war cost the USA over one hundred billion dollars.