Parallels in Conflict: The American Revolution and the Vietnam War

Abstract : Research uses the Fabyanic Model to assess why British and United States military strategies were remarkably similar in the American Revolution and the Vietnam War respectively, and why each superpower was defeated by a numerically and qualitatively inferior force. Comparative analysis shows that both British and American leaders failed to appreciate the true nature of the conflicts, did not establish clear or reasonable national objectives, and each nation pursued a flawed military strategy of limited force. Report concludes that when faced with revolutionary civil wars, military commanders should advocate military force only when the political situation will support a decisive military campaign early in the conflict.