How Pointless Was the Vietnam War?

As the other answers have indicated, the Vietnam war was, to a very large extent, a pointless, costly failure. Starting with cost, the war, in inflation-adjusted dollars, carried a price tag of $738 billion, according to defense specialist Stephen Daggett.

Why was the Vietnam War a mistake?

For many who study foreign affairs, the Vietnam War was a tragic mistake brought about by U.S. leaders who exaggerated the influence of communism and underestimated the power of nationalism.

What was bad about the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War severely damaged the U.S. economy. Unwilling to raise taxes to pay for the war, President Johnson unleashed a cycle of inflation. The war also weakened U.S. military morale and undermined, for a time, the U.S. commitment to internationalism.