The widespread media-coverage of the war that was not there during the Korean War also contributed to the negative image of Vietnam Veterans by providing media coverage of events like the My Lai Massacre, in which US soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese citizens. Even though both wars were both limited proxy wars whose conflict’s root lay in the cold war, the two wars differ in the ways that they were fought, the outcomes of the wars and consequently the effects that the wars had domestically and internationally. The Vietnam War, having been fought by a post-World War II generation has greatly changed the widespread social opinion on the topic of war and marked the beginning of a new era. The soldiers who fought in Korea were widely regarded as heroes in our country and those who were in Vietnam were not, even though they were serving their country in the same
The Vietnam War affected both the social and political views of this nation. This war took one great nation and completely divided it in two. As shown by examples in this paper, the political and social changes were drastic enough and demonstrated by enough people that it was able to move an entire generation. Even today, the different views of the Vietnam War are seen in the way the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is viewed by many today: “ A somber reminder of the loss of too many young Americans, and of what the war did to the United States and its messianic belief in its own overweening virtue.” [ (Sitikoff, 1999)
3. ["Lessons of Vietnam by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, ca. May 12, 1975, in http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/vietnam.htm). Similarly, the financial burden of the War called political judgment into question; doubts were rife about the tactics, and ever decision was scrutinized on the nightly news, with most Americans feeling that “we simply did not belong there,†(Davidson, 1991, inclusive). More than anything, the Vietnam War emphasized what was wrong on the home front, and that a superpower was not always a superpower '' tremendous might would not always prevail.
Final Project: American History Timeline Your Name here Class Name Here Professor Name here Date Here Introduction Throughout the many changes in American history and differences in economy during times of war and times of rebuilding, there have been several important people and events that have seriously impacted America within these eras. Each road taken throughout history is the direct result of a decision or event that placed the power in their hands. Sometimes these crucial and questioned decisions make up our history and our future as well. These decisions can also teach us which way not to go again to prevent us from making the same fatal mistakes. Sometimes they make up the important information that helps
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
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.
This occurred some years after 1950. In the 1960s and 70s, the American public became very angry and frustrated with the military-industrial complex. The protest against the Vietnam War had reached its very highest. In President Eisenhower‘s farewell address, he warned, “ In the councils of government, we must guard against acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” The American public should refrain from gaining any negative or unauthorized influences by the military-industrial complex.
The Vietnam War Prior to Vietnam, most of the American population set high standards for their Congressmen, universities, and other official institutions. These views began to change in the 1960’s. Two basic viewpoints began to develop during this time. One group felt that even if intentions had been good for getting into the conflict, it was a losing battle that carried too large of burden both socially and economically and the United States needed to get out of Vietnam. The other group felt that we went to Vietnam for a reason and we should not leave until the job was completed.
However, most historians place the start date back between 1955 and 1959, when North Vietnam gradually become more active about their presence in the South. The United States was afraid that North Vietnam was attempting to take over South Vietnam. At this time, United States foreign policy believed in the policy of containment, that communism must be contained where it is, and in the Domino Theory. This theory said that if one country was allowed to fall to communism, the countries surrounding it would be more likely to fall as well. The prolonged war left many Americans bitter about U.S. involvement in a war they could not
There are many different reactions to the Vietnam war, including reactions to the country and soldiers. The country was in protest. Soldiers were often treated poorly and alienated. People wanted to end the war while some people wanted to use maximum military force. People reacted with protests.