How was the Vietnam War Perceived by Soviets?
The Vietnam War had a significant impact on global politics, and the Soviet Union was no exception. The war was a significant test of the Soviet Union’s foreign policy and ideological commitment to communism. The Soviet Union’s perception of the Vietnam War was shaped by its own interests, ideologies, and strategic goals. In this article, we will explore how the Vietnam War was perceived by the Soviets.
Initial Support for the North Vietnamese
During the early stages of the Vietnam War, the Soviet Union provided significant support to the North Vietnamese government and the Viet Cong (the communist forces fighting against the United States and South Vietnam). The Soviet Union saw the war as a fundamental struggle between communism and imperialism, and it was keen to support the communist side.
Economic Support
The Soviet Union provided significant economic support to the North Vietnamese government, including $1.7 billion in aid from 1965 to 1975. This aid included military equipment, weaponry, and infrastructure development.
Military Support
The Soviet Union also provided significant military support to the North Vietnamese government, including:
• Military advisors: The Soviet Union sent thousands of military advisors to North Vietnam to help train and equip the North Vietnamese army.
• Military equipment: The Soviet Union provided MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighter jets, T-54 tanks, and other military equipment to the North Vietnamese army.
• Rocket and artillery support: The Soviet Union provided P-6 and P-15 rockets, M-1937 and D-30 howitzers, and other artillery to the North Vietnamese army.
Ideological Support
The Soviet Union also provided significant ideological support to the North Vietnamese government, emphasizing the importance of the "struggle against American imperialism" and "the triumph of the communist revolution". The Soviet Union saw the war as a fundamental test of the strength and legitimacy of communism, and it was keen to support the North Vietnamese government in its struggle against the United States.
Shift in Policy
However, as the war dragged on and the United States became increasingly unpopular, the Soviet Union’s support for the North Vietnamese government began to wane. The Soviet Union started to distance itself from the North Vietnamese government, and replaced its military advisors with Chinese advisors. This shift in policy was largely driven by the Sino-Soviet split, which had started in the early 1960s and had further deteriorated by the early 1970s.
Post-War Assessments
After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the Soviet Union re-evaluated its support for the North Vietnamese government. Some Soviet officials criticized the North Vietnamese government for its bureaucratic authoritarianism and poor economic management. Others praised the North Vietnamese government for its resistance against American imperialism and its commitment to the communist revolution.
Table: Soviet Support to North Vietnam
| 1965-1969 | 1970-1974 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Aid | $1.2 billion | $0.5 billion | $1.7 billion |
| Military Advisors | 10,000 | 2,000 | 12,000 |
| Military Equipment | 500 tanks | 200 tanks | 700 tanks |
| Rockets and Artillery | 100 rockets | 50 rockets | 150 rockets |
| Total | **** | **** | **** |
Conclusion
The Vietnam War was perceived by the Soviets as a fundamental struggle between communism and imperialism. The Soviet Union provided significant economic, military, and ideological support to the North Vietnamese government throughout the war. However, as the war dragged on and the United States became increasingly unpopular, the Soviet Union’s support for the North Vietnamese government began to wane. After the war, the Soviet Union re-evaluated its support for the North Vietnamese government, with some officials criticizing its bureaucratic authoritarianism and poor economic management.
