The United States took action against communism in several different parts of the world. 'It was an error for the United States to become involved in Vietnam.' How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. 10 marks

One explanation or more on each side.
- Although there was an argument that communism should be stopped and that the USA could have been successful if the right tactics had been used, going into Vietnam was an error. The communists in Vietnam were fighting for their country against foreign intervention and they were very determined. This was shown by the defeat of the French. The communists lost millions of men, but they kept fighting. It did not matter what tactics the USA used, the communists would keep coming back. America had no chance of ever winning for good.

Level 4: Explains both sides. 7-9 marks
For candidates to be awarded this level they must have one explanation on each side.

Seven marks for one explanation on each side; one additional mark for each additional explanation on either side.

Level 3: Explains one side. 4-6 marks
One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
- It was an error. Vietnam was thousands of miles away and it was always going to be difficult fighting a war so far away. Also, the governments in South Vietnam were corrupt and had little popular support so the Americans were not really supporting democracy. By the end of the war little had been achieved, despite enormous casualties, and the South was taken over by the communists.
OR
- It was not an error to get involved. The mistake was that the wrong tactics were used once they were there. The Americans never really adapted to guerrilla warfare and tried to fight the war as if it was a conventional war. This was a mistake. Tactics like heavy bombing and search and destroy lost the support of the people in South Vietnam.
Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. 2-3 marks

One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
- Spread of communism needed to be stopped.
- The domino theory.
- The wrong tactics were used.
- The war never had the complete support of the American people.
- The US government needed to fight the war with more force as Westmoreland argued.
- Vietnam was thousands of miles away.
- The South Vietnam regime had little popular support.
- The US could never have defeated guerrilla tactics.

Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question. 1 mark
- The United States started to send troops to Vietnam in the early 1960s. They used lots of different methods there like bombing and search and destroy. The war went on for a long time.

Accept all valid responses.
Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks