Televisions were considered to be anti-war influences because the media showed horrible things happening in Vietnam that cause the public to give less support. The media not only affected the nature of the war to the public but it also changes the minds of Americans on their own people. "Critics in the government, the military, and elsewhere claim that the media was dominated by the antiwar journalists who poisoned the American public against the war by delivering superficial and negative coverage of the conflict. (pg 177 Walter). This shows how Walter noticed that people attentions were grabbed by the over coverage the news released.
The documentary makes me believe that the media wanted to put this fear into the publics eyes so they would support the war more. I say this because when the mainstream would print pictures or film the crash sights they would only use footage and prints of intense explosions, a lot of burning shrapnel and picture of marines that ducking or covering themselves with the look of utter fear in their eyes. This creates the image that we were really struggling during these conflicts when in actuality we were winning most of these battles that the media claimed to be so harsh on our
As opposed to the other superpower, America got directly involved, sending not only financial aid1 but actively participating in the military effort. American involvement in the Vietnam War was an unnecessary commitment which negatively impacted on public opinion of the United States government throughout the world during the 1960’s and turned the civil war between North and South Vietnam into a theatre of operation for the great power rivalry which resulted in increased cold war
The government they set up was failing so in 1965 the United States send in troops to prevent collapse of it. The horrible tactics of the Diem government eventually led to opposition within South Vietnam. Ngo Dinh diem’s government represented a minority of Vietnamese who were mostly businessmen, Roman Catholics, large landowners, and others who had fought with the French against the Vietnamese. The United States first tried to help the Southern Vietnamese government with military advisers and financial assistance, but more involvement was needed to keep it from collapsing. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave President Johnson permission to escalate the war in Vietnam.
Vietnam War Prior to Vietnam, the American populous held their Schools, Congressman, and official institutions in a high regard. Some Americans felt that even though the intentions of the Government were good when entering the conflict, it was a battle that could never be won and there was too great of a burden on the country economically and social to continue the war. Others felt that the United States was in Vietnam for a purpose and should stay until their task was accomplished. It’s hard to determine the long-term effects of Vietnam to the American public. Although many students were moved by the war, it also caused great changes to politics in the United States.
The American involvement in the war between North and South Vietnam would drastically change the views of many Americans. With this the nation was split between two parities, ones who were all for the war, and the other that were against it. With every night bringing a live update on the war the views of the people would constantly change biased on the progress of the war. The main part of the war came to a head between the 1960’s and 1970’s, with the Tet offensive taking place which single handedly end Lyndon brown Johnson’s future of running for a second term for president. During the war, the nation seemed to be separated into two parties.
His attempt to slow the flow of North Vietnamese soldiers and supplies into South Vietnam by sending American forces to destroy Communist supply bases in Cambodia in 1970 in violation of Cambodian neutrality provoked antiwar protests on the nation’s college campuses. From 1968 to 1973 efforts were made to end the conflict through diplomacy. In January 1973, an agreement reached and U.S. forces were withdrawn from Vietnam and U.S. prisoners of war were released. In April 1975, South Vietnam surrendered to the North and Vietnam was reunited.” Still to this day people will argue the relevancy of the Vietnam War as well as the impact in which it had on America and its people. Citing: Mintz, S. (2007).
provokes these actions. American filmmaker, Eugene Jarecki, in his documentary, “Why We Fight,” addresses the topic of military industrial complex and argues that the government abuses its power and manipulates Americans about foreign policies and their intentions abroad. He supports this argument by interviewing many government and military personnel and addresses wrongful military actions and weaponry in other countries. Many of the military personnel repeatedly mentioned that orders they disagreed with were part of the job and had to be done. They also agreed that corruption was a huge issue in both legislative and executive branches of government.
During the Vietnam War, the United States (U.S.) government and the media had a tenuous relationship and many have blamed the media for interfering with government policy. George Shultz, former Secretary of State in the Regan administration, said of journalists “it seems as though reporters are always against us and they are always trying to screw things up.”1 Government officials are not the only ones to charge the media with an opposition mentality. Robert Elegant, a reporter for the LA Times/Washington Post news service in Vietnam, felt that the U.S. and South Vietnam military successfully did their part, only to see political pressure from the media stop Washington from supporting Saigon after U. S. withdraw in 1973.2 In fact, following
Many American citizens in 1959 viewed the Vietnam War as a righteous battle against communism, similar to the Iraq War today however now many view this war as a necessary battle against terrorism. Looking at America's overall goal in Vietnam, it is evident that we did not come close to keeping South Vietnam from collapsing, who fell to communist rule in 1975 (Frankum 210). America's involvement in the conflicts of Vietnam and Iraq were so discordant that our government, people, and military were constricted. Yet both wars were fought with the knowledge that America may change the invaded nation, which brings a precarious question; what makes the government believe that they have the right to go into a country and change it to the way they