What was the very first war. The longest war in the history of mankind: history, interesting facts
On the work of the Ves Mir publishing house in the context of counteracting the spread of coronavirus and the implementation of the orders of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow.
The biggest war in the history of mankind - Short story Second World War
Second World War was the biggest, most destructive and most bloody war, known history. In its scale, it far surpassed all the wars of the past, including the Hundred Years' War of the XIV-XV centuries, the Thirty Years' War of the XVII century, the Napoleonic Wars early XIX in. and even the First World War of 1914-1918. The Second World War lasted six years - from 1939 to 1945. It involved 61 states with a total population of 1 billion 700 million people, including all the great powers: Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Soviet Union, United States of America and Japan. Military operations were conducted on the territory of 40 states, on three continents and on all oceans. 110 million people were mobilized in the armies of the warring countries; in addition, tens of millions participated in the resistance movement, in guerrilla war, built military fortifications, worked in the military industry. In total, the war drew into its orbit 3/4 of the world's population.
The loss and destruction caused by World War II is unparalleled. They are so large that they cannot even be accurately calculated, but can only be estimated approximately. According to historians, human losses in World War II amounted to at least 50-60 million people. They were at least five times more than the losses in the First World War and more than twice the losses in all the wars of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The material damage was 12 times greater than in the First World War.
By its gigantic scale and influence on the subsequent historical development World War II is the biggest event in world history.
Like the First World War, the Second World War was fought for the redivision of the world, territorial acquisitions, sources of raw materials and markets, but unlike the First World War, it also had a clearly expressed ideological content. In World War II, the fascist and anti-fascist coalitions opposed each other. The fascist and militaristic states that unleashed the war sought to enslave other countries, establish their own rules there and achieve world domination. The states of the anti-fascist coalition defended their freedom and independence, as well as the freedom of the countries enslaved by the fascists; fought for the preservation of democratic rights and freedoms. The war on their part had an anti-fascist, liberation character.
One of the manifestations of its liberation character was the national liberation and anti-fascist resistance movement that arose in the occupied countries and in the states of the aggressor bloc. Resistance Movement - feature and features of World War II.
Many thousands of books and articles have been written about World War II, dozens of films have been made in all countries. The literature on the war is truly boundless; no one is able to read it in its entirety, but the flow of publications does not dry out, because the history of the war is still far from being fully studied, and especially because it is closely connected with the most acute problems of our time. This or that interpretation of wartime events often serves as a historical justification and justification for revising borders and creating new states; for a positive or negative assessment of the role of nations, classes, parties, political regimes and statesmen; she hurts national interest and national feelings. Along with serious historical research a huge number of all kinds of unreliable writings, fabrications and falsifications are published. True story The war was overgrown with myths and legends, which were often supported by government propaganda, were widely disseminated and acquired a stable character. Until now, little is known in Russia about the actions of the Anglo-American troops in Africa and pacific ocean, while in England and especially in the USA they have little idea of the gigantic scale of hostilities on the Soviet-German front. It is characteristic that the serial Soviet-American documentary about the Great Patriotic War (released on screens in 1978) in America was given the name "Unknown War" because it is almost unknown to Americans. The same name - "Unknown War" - is also one of the last French works on the history of the Second World War.
As polls have shown public opinion held in different countries, including in Russia, the generations born in the post-war period sometimes lack the most elementary information about the Second World War. Often, the respondents do not remember when the war began, why it was fought, who fought with whom. Sometimes they don't even know who Hitler, Roosevelt or Churchill are.
The purpose of this book, intended for the general reader, is to give general idea about the course and main events of the war. The most controversial issues in the history of the war are discussed in the sections "What are the disputes about?".
Other chapters from this book
- The immediate and most obvious outcome of World War II was gigantic destruction and loss of life. The war devastated entire countries, turned cities and villages into ruins, and led to the death of many millions of people. The largest human losses - 26.6 million people - were...
In the history of civilization there have always been military clashes. And each protracted conflict was distinguished by its duration. We bring to your attention the top 10 longest wars in the history of mankind.
Vietnam War
The well-known military conflict between the United States and Vietnam lasted eighteen years (1957-1975). In the history of America, some facts of these events are still hushed up. In Vietnam, this war is considered not only a tragic, but also a heroic period.
The immediate cause of serious clashes was the coming of the Communists to power in China and South Vietnam. Accordingly, the US president no longer wanted to put up with the potential for a communist "domino effect." Therefore, the White House decided to use military force.
American combat units outgunned the Vietnamese. But on the other hand, the national army brilliantly applied guerrilla methods in the fight against the enemy.
As a result, the war ended with a mutually beneficial agreement between the states.
North War
Perhaps the longest war in the history of Russia is the Northern one. In 1700, Russia faced one of the most powerful powers of that era - Sweden. The first military failures of Peter I became an incentive for the start of serious transformations. As a result, by 1703 the Russian autocrat had already won a number of victories, after which the entire Neva was in his hands. That is why the tsar decided to establish a new capital there - St. Petersburg.
A little later, the Russian army conquered Dorpat and Narva.
Meanwhile, the Swedish emperor demanded revenge, and in 1708 his units again invaded Russia. It was the beginning of the decline of this northern power.
First, Russian soldiers defeated the Swedes near Lesnaya. And then - and near Poltava, in the decisive battle.
The defeat in this battle put an end not only to the ambitious plans of Charles XII, but also to the prospects of the Swedish "great power".
A few years later the new one sued for peace. The corresponding agreement was concluded in 1721, and for the state it became deplorable. Sweden has practically ceased to be considered a great power. In addition, she lost almost all her possessions.
Peloponnesian conflict
This war lasted twenty-seven years. And such ancient states-polises as Sparta and Athens were involved in it. The conflict itself did not begin spontaneously. In Sparta there was an oligarchic form of government, in Athens - democracy. There was also a kind of cultural confrontation. In general, these two strong leaders could no longer meet on the battlefield.
The Athenians made sea raids on the shores of the Peloponnese. The Spartans also invaded the territory of Attica.
After some time, both warring parties entered into a peace treaty, but a few years later Athens violated the terms. And the hostilities began again.
In general, the Athenians lost. So, they were defeated at Syracuse. Then, with the support of Persia, Sparta managed to build its own fleet. This flotilla finally defeated the enemy at Egospotami.
The main outcome of the war was the loss of all Athenian colonies. In addition, the policy itself was forced to join the Spartan Union.
A war that lasted three decades
For three decades (1618-1648), literally all European powers took part in religious clashes. It all started with a conflict between German Protestants and Catholics, after which this local incident turned into a large-scale war in Europe. Note that Russia was also involved in this conflict. Only Switzerland remained neutral.
During the years of this merciless war, the number of inhabitants of Germany decreased by several orders of magnitude!
By the end of the clashes, the warring parties concluded a peace treaty. The consequence of this document was the formation of an independent state - the Netherlands.
The clash of factions of the British aristocracy
In medieval England in the second half of the 15th century, there were active hostilities. Contemporaries called them the war of the Scarlet and White Roses. In fact, it was a series of civil wars, which, in general, lasted 33 years. It was a confrontation between factions of the aristocracy for power. The main participants in the conflict were representatives of the Lancaster and York branches.
Years later, after numerous battles in the war, the Lancasters won. But after some time, a representative of the Tudor dynasty came to the throne. This royal family ruled for almost 120 years.
Liberation in Guatemala
The Guatemalan conflict lasted thirty-six years (1960-1996). It was a civil war. The opposing sides are representatives of Indian tribes, primarily the Maya, and the Spaniards.
The fact is that in Guatemala in the 50s, with the support of the United States, a coup d'état was carried out. Members of the opposition began to form a rebel army. liberation movement expanded. The partisans repeatedly managed to occupy cities and villages. As a rule, governing bodies were created immediately.
Meanwhile, the war dragged on. The Guatemalan authorities acknowledged that a military solution to this conflict is impossible. As a result, peace was concluded, which was the official protection of 23 groups of Indians in the country.
In general, about 200 thousand people died during the war, most of them Mayans. Approximately another 150,000 are considered missing.
Half century conflict
The war between the Persians and the Greeks lasted half a century (499-449 BC). By the beginning of the conflict, Persia was considered a powerful and warlike power. Greece or Hellas as such did not exist at all on the map of the Ancient World. There were only fragmented policies (city-states). They seemed unable to resist the great Persia.
Be that as it may, suddenly the Persians began to suffer crushing defeats. Moreover, the Greeks were able to agree on joint military operations.
At the end of the war, Persia was forced to recognize the independence of the Greek cities. In addition, she had to give up the occupied territories.
And Hellas was waiting for an unprecedented rise. The country then began to enter a period of highest prosperity. She had already laid the foundations of culture, which later the whole world began to follow.
A war that lasted one century
What is the longest war in history? You will learn more about this later. But the century-old conflict between England and France was among the record holders. In fact, it lasted more than one century - 116 years. The fact is that both sides were forced to agree to a truce in this long battle. The reason was the plague.
In those days, both states were regional leaders. They had powerful armies and serious allies.
Initially, England began hostilities. The island kingdom sought to regain, first of all, Anjou, Maine and Normandy. The French side was eager to expel the British from Aquitaine. Thus, she tried to unite all her territories.
The French formed their militia. The British used hired soldiers for military operations.
In 1431, the legendary Joan of Arc, who was a symbol of French freedom, was executed. After that, the militias began, above all, to use guerrilla methods in the fight. As a result, years later, war-weary England conceded defeat, losing almost all possessions on French territory.
Punic War
At the very beginning of the history of Roman civilization, Rome managed to practically subjugate all of Italy. By this time, the Romans wanted to extend their influence to the territory of the rich island of Sicily. These interests were also pursued by the powerful trading power of Carthage. Carthaginian inhabitants ancient rome called puns. As a result, hostilities began between these countries.
One of the longest wars in the world lasted 118 years. Indeed, active fighting lasted four decades. The rest of the war went on in a kind of sluggish phase.
Ultimately, Carthage was defeated and destroyed. Note that over the years of the war, about a million people died, which was a lot for those times ...
335 year strange war
The obvious record holder for the duration was the war between the Scilly archipelago and the Netherlands. How long was the longest war in history? It lasted more than three centuries and was very different from other military conflicts. At least the fact that for all 335 years the opponents have not been able to shoot at each other.
In the first half of the 17th century, the Second Civil War was going on in England. The famous defeated the royalists. Fleeing from the chase, the losers arrived on the shores of the Scilly archipelago, which belonged to a prominent royalist.
Meanwhile, part of the Dutch fleet decided to support Cromwell. They hoped for an easy victory, but this did not happen. After the defeat, the Dutch authorities demanded compensation. The royalists responded with a categorical refusal. Then, at the end of March 1651, the Dutch officially declared war on Scilly, after which ... they returned home.
A little later, the royalists were persuaded to surrender. But this strange "war" officially continued. It ended only in 1985, when it was discovered that formally Scilly is still at war with Holland. The following year, this misunderstanding was settled, and the two countries were able to sign a peace treaty ...
Winston Churchill said that war is mostly a catalog of blunders.
We invite you to get to know the most famous wars resulting from the struggle for territory or the desire for world domination. These large-scale armed conflicts forever changed the course of historical events.
The most significant wars
Battle for Constantinople
The conquest of the Balkan Peninsula by the Ottoman Turks had a strong influence on the development of European states. A fortified and equipped Turkish army was formed on the territory of Asia Minor. In 1453, the Turks began the conquest of Constantinople (modern Istanbul). The city was surrounded by stone walls and was washed by the waters of the Sea of Marmara.After Constantine refused to surrender the city voluntarily and receive possession of the Peloponnese peninsula as a reward, the Turks began to attack. They dug under the wall, filled up the moat with water around the city, besieged the walls, but all their attacks were courageously repelled by the soldiers of Constantinople.
The city was defended from 250 thousand enemy soldiers by 7000 people under the leadership of Constantine XII Palaiologos. The Turks decided to take a strategic pause in order to get stronger, and then they began to besiege the city from the sea and from land.
Exhausted Constantinopolitans could not withstand the onslaught: many soldiers left the fortress. In just a few days, the Turks captured Constantinople and killed everyone who refused to submit to them.
Battle for American Independence
The American Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783. The reason for the start of the "American Revolution" was the signing of the Stamp Act by the government of England.The document stated that all trade transactions in America should be taxed in favor of the English crown, that is, the American people should pay to the British treasury. This measure was taken to reduce the external debt of the United Kingdom.
The discussion of these conditions took place without the presence of the American side. The act was canceled after a wave of protests from American residents. Then, in 1767, England taxed lead, glass, tea, paint, and paper imported into the American colonies.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the British kingdom, the Americans began to develop a revolutionary plan to gain independence from England. But there was no unity among them. The population was divided into three parties - "patriots", "loyalists" and those who took neutrality.
The "patriots" included people of the middle and lower classes of society who advocated US independence. To the "loyalists" - wealthy people who were afraid of losing their acquired capital and opposed the revolution. Only the Religious Society of Pennsylvania took a neutral stance.
The first armed attack that marked the beginning of hostilities occurred on April 19, 1775. 700 soldiers of the British army were supposed to seize stockpiles of weapons from the American separatists. During the short-lived battles, the "patriots" retreated, but the British army suffered significant losses.
For 8 years America fought for its independence, until in April 1782 the House of Commons of Great Britain voted to end the war. The United States was officially recognized as a sovereign state on September 3, 1783.
world wars
Seven Years' War
The war between England and France lasted from 1756 to 1763. This military conflict went down in history as the largest armed confrontation of the 18th century. Seven Years' War covered countries outside of Europe. Participated in it North America, the Caribbean, India and the Philippines.
War broke out in Europe over Silesia (located in present-day Poland), which had previously belonged to the Austrians but was recaptured by the Prussians in 1748. Overseas, the cause of the armed conflict was the struggle for the territories of the English and French colonists. In 1757, the Russian Empire entered the Seven Years' War.
The command of the troops was headed by Petr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. For the battle victory in the battle of Kunersdorf (in Silesia) he was awarded the order Saint Alexander Nevsky as the best commander of the Russian army.
For 7 years, due to hostilities in Austria, 400 thousand soldiers died, in Prussia - 262 thousand, in France - 169 thousand, in England - 20 thousand, in the Russian Empire - 138 thousand. The Seven Years' War ended at the beginning of 1763 as a result of the complete exhaustion of the belligerents.
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War lasted from 1870 to 1871. On July 19, 1870 Germany declared war on Russia, England and France. The cause of the conflict was the desire of the German rulers to strengthen the position of the state in world politics, which at that time was dominated by the above countries. Germany ignored the military warning from Great Britain.
After 4 years of hostilities, on May 10, 1871, a peace treaty was signed in Frankfurt between the warring countries. The terms of the treaty stipulated that Germany should vacate colonial possessions in France, Denmark and Belgium. Thus, the German state lost 13.5% (73.5 thousand square kilometers) of its territories with a population of 7.3 million people.
World War I
World War I lasted from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918. The cause of the armed conflict was the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia Chotek in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Two military-political blocs of states entered into confrontation: the Quarter Alliance and the Entente. The Quadruple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. The Entente was represented by the Russian Empire, the French Republic and the British Empire.
10 million people died in World War I. The losses of the Russian Empire amounted to more than one and a half million people. About 5 million were wounded and 2.5 million were taken prisoner by the enemy.
The First World War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles by the rulers of Germany. were later concluded peace treaties with Austria (Treaty of Saint-Germain), Bulgaria (Treaty of Neuilly), Hungary (Treaty of Trianon) and Turkey (Treaty of Sèvres).
The Second World War
The Second World War began on September 1, 1939 with the invasion of German and Slovak troops into Poland. In total, 61 states took part in this war.On June 22, 1941, Germany, together with its allies - Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, Finland and Romania - attacked the Soviet Union without warning. The invasion of the USSR by German troops marked the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The victims of this four-year confrontation were 27 million people.
In total, more than 60 million people died in World War II, and the total material damage amounted to $ 4 trillion. International relations between the warring states were broken.
After Germany was defeated in 1945, Adolf Hitler was accused of a crime against humanity and a desire for world domination. On April 30, 1945, the Fuhrer, along with his wife Eva Braun, committed suicide.
World War II is the only armed conflict in history when nuclear weapons were used against people. On August 6 and 9, 1945, in order to hasten the surrender of Japan, the US military command dropped atomic bombs the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The nuclear attack claimed the lives of, according to various sources, from 90 to 160 thousand people. Japan finally capitulated on September 2, 1945.
Talk about World War III
Political analysts have repeatedly speculated about the beginning of the Third World War: what will be the prerequisites, who will be its participants and what will it lead to.According to one version, the cause of the war will be running out of fresh water. Others speak of the imminent overpopulation of the planet, and then territories will become a prerequisite for war. Still others believe that the battle may begin because of the aggressive desire of the next dictator to conquer the whole world.
Before getting involved in an armed confrontation, one should look back. History provides many examples that prove that military conflicts are not the most The best way solution of international issues. Millions of civilians and soldiers are suffering and dying, and the economies of warring countries are being destroyed.
Fortunately, some wars are short-lived, sometimes only a few minutes. The site has a detailed article on the shortest military confrontations.
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In the history of mankind there were wars that lasted more than a century. Maps were redrawn, political interests were defended, people died. We recall the most protracted military conflicts.
Punic War (118 years)
By the middle of the III century BC. the Romans almost completely subjugated Italy, swung at the entire Mediterranean and wanted Sicily first. But the mighty Carthage also claimed this rich island. Their claims unleashed 3 wars that stretched (intermittently) from 264 to 146. BC. and got the name from the Latin name of the Phoenicians-Carthaginians (puns).
The first (264-241) - 23 years old (began just because of Sicily). The second (218-201) - 17 years (after the capture of the Spanish city of Sagunta by Hannibal). The last (149-146) - 3 years. It was then that she was born famous phrase"Carthage must be destroyed!"
Pure warfare took 43 years. The conflict in total is 118 years.
Results: Besieged Carthage fell. Rome has won.
Hundred Years War (116 years)
Went in 4 stages. With pauses for truces (the longest - 10 years) and the fight against the plague (1348) from 1337 to 1453.
Opponents: England and France.
The reasons: France wanted to oust England from the southwestern lands of Aquitaine and complete the unification of the country. England - to strengthen influence in the province of Guyenne and return those lost under John the Landless - Normandy, Maine, Anjou.
Complication: Flanders - formally was under the auspices of the French crown, in fact it was free, but depended on English wool for cloth making.
Reason: the claims of the English king Edward III from the Plantagenet-Anjou dynasty (maternal grandson french king Philip IV the Handsome of the Capetian family) to the Gallic throne.
Allies: England - German feudal lords and Flanders. France - Scotland and the Pope.
armies: English - hired. under the command of the king. The basis is infantry (archers) and knightly units. French - knightly militia, under the leadership of royal vassals.
fracture: after the execution of Joan of Arc in 1431 and the battle for Normandy, the national liberation war of the French people began with the tactics of guerrilla raids.
Results: On October 19, 1453, the English army capitulated at Bordeaux. Having lost everything on the continent, except for the port of Calais (it remained English for another 100 years). France switched to a regular army, abandoned knightly cavalry, gave preference to infantry, and the first firearms appeared.
Greco-Persian War (50th Anniversary)
Altogether, war. Stretched with lulls from 499 to 449. BC. They are divided into two (the first - 492-490, the second - 480-479) or three (the first - 492, the second - 490, the third - 480-479 (449). For the Greek policies-states - the battle for independence. For the Achaeminid Empire - captivating.
Trigger: Ionian uprising. The battle of the Spartans at Thermopylae is legendary. The battle of Salamis was a turning point. The point was put by "Kalliev Mir".
Results: Persia lost the Aegean Sea, the coasts of the Hellespont and the Bosphorus. Recognized the freedom of the cities of Asia Minor. The civilization of the ancient Greeks entered the time of the highest prosperity, laying the culture, which, even after millennia, the world was equal to.
Guatemalan War (age 36)
Civil. It proceeded in outbreaks from 1960 to 1996. A provocative decision by US President Eisenhower in 1954 triggered a coup.
Cause: the fight against the "communist infection".
Opponents: Bloc "Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity" and the military junta.
Victims: almost 6 thousand murders were committed annually, only in the 80s - 669 massacres, more than 200 thousand dead (of which 83% were Maya Indians), over 150 thousand went missing.
Results: Signing of the "Treaty for a Lasting and Lasting Peace", which protected the rights of 23 groups of Native Americans.
War of the Scarlet and White Rose (aged 33)
Confrontation of the English nobility - supporters of two tribal branches of the Plantagenet dynasty - Lancaster and York. Stretched from 1455 to 1485.
Prerequisites: "bastard feudalism" - the privilege of the English nobility to pay off military service from the lord, in whose hands large funds were concentrated, with which he paid for the army of mercenaries, which became more powerful than the royal one.
Cause: the defeat of England in the Hundred Years War, the impoverishment of the feudal lords, their rejection of the political course of the wife of the feeble-minded king Henry IV, hatred of her favorites.
Opposition: Duke Richard of York - considered the right to power of the Lancasters illegitimate, became regent under an incapacitated monarch, in 1483 - king, killed at the Battle of Bosworth.
Results: off balance political forces in Europe. Led to the collapse of the Plantagenets. She placed the Welsh Tudors on the throne, who ruled England for 117 years. Cost the lives of hundreds of English aristocrats.
Thirty Years' War (30 years)
The first military conflict of a pan-European scale. Lasted from 1618 to 1648.
Opponents: two coalitions. The first is the union of the Holy Roman Empire (in fact, Austrian) with Spain and the Catholic principalities of Germany. Second - German states where power was in the hands of Protestant princes. They were supported by the armies of reformist Sweden and Denmark and Catholic France.
Cause: The Catholic League was afraid of the spread of the ideas of the Reformation in Europe, the Protestant Evangelical Union - they aspired to this.
Trigger: Revolt of Czech Protestants against Austrian domination.
Results: The population of Germany has decreased by a third. The French army lost 80 thousand. Austria and Spain - more than 120. After the Treaty of Münster in 1648, a new independent state, the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (Holland), was finally fixed on the map of Europe.
Peloponnesian War (age 27)
There are two of them. The first is the Little Peloponnesian (460-445 BC). The second (431-404 BC) is the largest in the history of Ancient Hellas after the first Persian invasion of the territory of Balkan Greece. (492-490 BC).
Opponents: Peloponnesian Union led by Sparta and the First Marine (Delosian) under the auspices of Athens.
The reasons: The desire for hegemony in the Greek world of Athens and the rejection of their claims by Sparta and Corypha.
contradictions: Athens was ruled by an oligarchy. Sparta is a military aristocracy. Ethnically, the Athenians were Ionians, the Spartans were Dorians.
In the second, 2 periods are distinguished. The first is "Arkhidamov's War". The Spartans made land invasions into the territory of Attica. Athenians - sea raids on the coast of the Peloponnese. It ended in the 421st signing of the Peace of Nikiev. After 6 years, it was violated by the Athenian side, which was defeated in the battle of Syracuse. The final phase went down in history under the name Dekeley or Ionian. With the support of Persia, Sparta built a fleet and destroyed the Athenian at Aegospotami.
Results: After the conclusion in April 404 BC. Theramenian world of Athens lost the fleet, tore down the Long Walls, lost all the colonies and joined the Spartan alliance.
Vietnam War (age 18)
The Second Indochinese War between Vietnam and the United States and one of the most destructive of the second half of the 20th century. Lasted from 1957 to 1975. 3 periods: guerrilla South Vietnamese (1957-1964), from 1965 to 1973 - full-scale US military operations, 1973-1975. - after the withdrawal of American troops from the territories of the Viet Cong.
Opponents: South and North Vietnam. On the side of the South - the United States and the military bloc SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization). North - China and the USSR.
Cause: when the communists came to power in China, and Ho Chi Minh became the leader of South Vietnam, the White House administration was afraid of the communist "domino effect". After Kennedy's assassination, Congress gave the Tonkin Resolution President Lyndon Johnson carte blanche to use military force. And already in March 65, two battalions of US Army Navy SEALs left for Vietnam. So the States became part of the Vietnamese Civil War. They applied the “search and destroy” strategy, burned the jungle with napalm - the Vietnamese went underground and responded with a guerrilla war.
Who benefits: American arms corporations.
US losses: 58 thousand in combat (64% under the age of 21) and about 150 thousand suicides of American veterans of the explosives.
Vietnamese casualties: over 1 million who fought and more than 2 civilians, only in South Vietnam - 83 thousand amputees, 30 thousand blind, 10 thousand deaf, after the operation "Ranch Hand" (chemical destruction of the jungle) - congenital genetic mutations.
Results: The Tribunal of May 10, 1967 qualified US actions in Vietnam as a crime against humanity (Article 6 of the Nuremberg Statute) and banned the use of CBU-type thermite bombs as weapons of mass destruction.