2. The importance of military strength: The United States was able to win the Vietnam War because of its superior military power. The US had a larger and better-equipped military than Vietnam, and it was able to use its air power and technology to devastating effect. This showed that military strength was still an essential factor in international relations, even in the age of nuclear weapons.
3. The limits of Soviet power: The Soviet Union was the main backer of North Vietnam during the war, but it was unable to provide enough support to help the North Vietnamese win. This showed that the Soviet Union's power was not as great as many people had thought and that it was vulnerable to defeat in a protracted conflict.
4. The fragility of communist regimes: The Vietnam War showed that communist regimes were not as stable as many people had thought. The South Vietnamese government was plagued by corruption and incompetence, and it was ultimately overthrown by a communist-led insurgency. This showed that even communist regimes that had the support of the Soviet Union could be vulnerable to collapse.
5. The resilience of the free world: The Vietnam War showed that the free world was capable of resisting communist expansionism. The United States and its allies were able to defeat North Vietnam and its communist allies, and this showed that the free world was still a powerful force in international relations.