The Vietnam War was, and continues to be, one of America's darkest moments, one that nearly tore the nation apart. In order to stop the spread of communism in Europe and Asia, the United States aided the French imperialists and their reoccupation of Vietnam. At first, the United States took a position of neutrality towards both countries, but in early 1947 it began fighting in support of France. This war, which lasted more than 20 years, became the longest and most unpopular war of the 20th century. Overall, the Vietnam War was detrimental to the United States because it caused massive debt from the 1960s to the 1990s, turned the American people against their government, and many troops were neglected and disrespected upon their return . According to Dictionary.com, Communism is a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single, self-perpetuating political party. In short, it is when one political party governs and controls everything. America defined all of these governments as enemies and took it upon itself to try to prevent the spread of the virus, much like a disease. In contrast, Dictionary.com defines nationalism as devotion or loyalty to one's country; patriotism. From 1949, a civil war broke out between Chinese nationalists and communists. This resulted in a communist victory that brought to power a surprisingly effective government, which unified China and regained its independence, albeit governed by communist parties. Since America defined all communist governments as enemies, relations between the United States and China have deteriorated rapidly, severing their ties and eliminating them as allies for the future. America chose to act accordingly, intervening by putting the United States in the hands of paper, rent, food, or cars. They don't deserve shit. F*** them for what they did to me. "As a victim of all the harms mentioned - debt, homelessness, PTSD, drug addiction - he also turned against his government. I don't think I will ever meet a man, alcoholic or not, as courageous that Leprechaun. The United States' involvement in the Vietnam War is the most hidden and despised of the 20th century. Not only was it unnecessary, it also caused many problems that would otherwise have been non-existent had we stayed. We see what it has done today: America continues to pay off the debt it caused, people still distrust their government because of the way they tried to hide it, and we. see homeless veterans on every street corner I saw first hand what war did to people A great man was ruined by a war that almost destroyed a country. ;.