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The Mỹ Lai Massacre and the Loss of Vietnam

Alec Ewing 20787359

University of Waterloo

HIST 315 – 001

Course ID: 012714

Dylan Cyr

30 November 2021
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The United States’ presence and involvement in Vietnam between 1955 and 1975 led to a

host of war crimes, many of which were committed against unarmed civilians. The most notable

of these crimes was the Mỹ Lai Massacre, in which so many unarmed civilians died that the

official death count is still debated. The effect of the Massacre cannot be understated, and it

caused a fundamental breakdown in relations between the United States Military and the people

of Vietnam.

Background:

During the Second World War, Imperial Japan had invaded much of eastern and

southeastern Asia.

The Start of the Massacre:

The End of the Massacre:

The Aftermath:

Justice for these crimes was neither swift nor complete.

Long-term effects:
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Works Cited