Landmines in Vietnam
From 1955 to 1975, the country of Vietnam was at war with itself and American forces. Starting in 1969, American troops aided South Vietnam in its war to prevent a communist takeover by North Vietnam, who wanted to unify the country under the communist rule. The use of landmines, an explosive mine laid on or just under the surface of the ground, arose during the Second World War and quickly became popular due to their success (land mine, 1979). After World War Two, they were heavily used in the Vietnam War and became a part of the Communist and Anti-Communist military artillery. Antipersonnel landmines are detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person and will not explode until their exploding mechanism is triggered (Facts About Landmines, 2003). The three forms of antipersonnel landmines are explosive blast, fragmentation, and bounding. Explosive blast AP landmines are designed to tear off the lower part of the legs, causing secondary infection and higher …show more content…
They can blow off the legs, cause severe bodily damage, or be fatal to anyone who triggers its exploding mechanism. During the Vietnam War, the United States began releasing countless landmines into Northern Vietnam in hopes of winning the war and hindering a communist rule by North Vietnam. Since the end of the war in 1975, the people of Vietnam have been heavily affected by these perilous weapons. The death tolls around the world continue to escalate every year as more people are unexpectedly wounded by landmines, specifically in the country of Vietnam. This serious issue can only be resolved by stopping the production, accumulation, and transporting of landmines. The Mine Ban Treaty of 1997 created by the United Nations will ensure these actions are strictly followed. It is extremely indispensable that all states sign this treaty and work together to create a secure world that is no longer scattered with fatal
From 1955 to 1975, the country of Vietnam was at war with itself and American forces. Starting in 1969, American troops aided South Vietnam in its war to prevent a communist takeover by North Vietnam, who wanted to unify the country under the communist rule. The use of landmines, an explosive mine laid on or just under the surface of the ground, arose during the Second World War and quickly became popular due to their success (land mine, 1979). After World War Two, they were heavily used in the Vietnam War and became a part of the Communist and Anti-Communist military artillery. Antipersonnel landmines are detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person and will not explode until their exploding mechanism is triggered (Facts About Landmines, 2003). The three forms of antipersonnel landmines are explosive blast, fragmentation, and bounding. Explosive blast AP landmines are designed to tear off the lower part of the legs, causing secondary infection and higher …show more content…
They can blow off the legs, cause severe bodily damage, or be fatal to anyone who triggers its exploding mechanism. During the Vietnam War, the United States began releasing countless landmines into Northern Vietnam in hopes of winning the war and hindering a communist rule by North Vietnam. Since the end of the war in 1975, the people of Vietnam have been heavily affected by these perilous weapons. The death tolls around the world continue to escalate every year as more people are unexpectedly wounded by landmines, specifically in the country of Vietnam. This serious issue can only be resolved by stopping the production, accumulation, and transporting of landmines. The Mine Ban Treaty of 1997 created by the United Nations will ensure these actions are strictly followed. It is extremely indispensable that all states sign this treaty and work together to create a secure world that is no longer scattered with fatal