Final answer:
Americans had trouble understanding US involvement in the Vietnam War due to uncertain motivations and shifting rationales, distrust in the government's actions, and the challenges posed by Viet Cong's guerilla tactics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason Americans had trouble understanding US involvement in the Vietnam War was because the United States' motivations and priorities in Vietnam were uncertain. There was a lack of clear objectives and a shifting rationale for the war, which made it difficult for the public to understand why the US was involved. For example, the government initially cited the need to stop the spread of communism, but as the war continued, other reasons such as preserving US credibility and honor became more prominent.
Another factor contributing to the confusion was the counterculture movement, which distrusted the government's actions and motivations. They believed that the US government was not being honest about its intentions and criticized the war as unnecessary and unjust. This skepticism further fueled the difficulty in understanding the true purpose behind US involvement.
In addition, the Viet Cong's guerilla tactics posed significant challenges for the US military. These tactics involved hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and hiding among the civilian population, making it difficult for the American forces to defeat them. The prolonged and asymmetric nature of the conflict added to the frustration and lack of clarity surrounding the US involvement in the war.
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