Throughout America’s history, few things have left the nation in such controversial turmoil as the Vietnam War. With an American death toll of almost 60,000 troops, the Vietnam War has gone down in infamy as one of the most tremendous struggles Americans have faced both overseas and on the home front. Because of the tumultuous controversies caused by the war, Americans split into two social factions – those against the war and those who supported it.
During the years of 1961-1975 – the era in which the war had its greatest effect on Americans – the population of citizens from 18-35 years old and the Presidency were both affected irreversibly. The beginning of the Vietnam War can be credited to President Johnson’s predecessors – Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. Their involvement with the conflicts in Vietnam and their sending of military advisors fueled the issues overseas which would eventually force President Johnson to become involved in military engagement upon his election.
Johnson, who claimed to have preferred fighting the ‘war on poverty’ than the Vietnam War, was haphazardly thrown into the pre-existing issue. Because his re-election greatly depended on his involvement overseas as well as the outcome of the war, Johnson did not take his position as Commander in Chief lightly. However, Johnson didn’t want to focus solely on the war efforts; he began to implement certain social programs and acts that would help to build something called “The Great Society”.
The Term Paper on Anti War Vietnam Movements American
SYNOPSIS Gerster and Bassett assert that "whatever their earnest historiographical intentions" may be, much of the literature written about the Sixties, "are contrived exercises in myth-making." This essay argues that the historical accounts and assessments, not only of the Sixties as a whole, but parts from that period, which, for the purpose of this essay, will be the Vietnam War and opposition ...
Johnson’s vision of a perfect society aroused the American people into believing in a brighter and more equal future. The implement of education, establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, VISTA, and Head Start were just a few of many social changes Johnson and his administration planed in order to change the United States. Failure to enact these programs as well as an almost inevitable failure in Vietnam would eventually cost Johnson his re-election. The next man to fill the seemly cursed job of President would be Richard Nixon – a scumbag in the eyes of many citizens.
Nixon’s questionable past would leave some voters skeptical, but his promise to end the war in Vietnam and his identification with the ‘silent majority’ caused voters to cast away their bias and elect him to lead; this shows just powerfully the majority wanted out of Vietnam. In the end however, Nixon’s true colors would show in his controversies involving the Watergate scandal and the Pentagon Papers. By this time, the office of President of the United States would be considered a position of high scrutiny, stress, and power. The war in Vietnam did not affect only matured political leaders.
In fact, one of the largest demographics affected by the war was the population of young adults ages 18-35. These people, who were commonly referred to as ‘college aged’, experienced a time of revolution during 1961-1975. Previous to the war, students in universities could not voice their opinions on political or social issues. The voting age at the time was actually 21, meaning many students in college could not even vote in elections. Despite their oppression, many students felt that their opinions were valid and wanted to be heard. This birthed the Free Speech Movement.
Programs and organizations such as Chicago’s JOIN (Jobs or Income Now), SDS (Students for a Democratic Society), and other campus-based political organizations fueled the fight for equality of all ages. Much of the Free Speech Movement’s success can be credited to Mario Savio’s intense speeches. The generation of students in college during the sixties is credited as the best educated and largest in American History to date. Having so many students educated and seeking involvement in their society caused massive changed in the democratic way.
Many universities even offered teach-ins and sit-ins to further educate students on what was happening overseas. An ‘out with the old and in with the new’ ideal was being spread across the nation – not just in the classroom- and among all walks of life. Old ways and traditions were beginning to fade as youngsters experimented in drugs, music, and premarital sex. The young adults of 1961-1975 sought to define their own styles of expression. Many of the people who were developing these new ways of self-expression were also highly opposed to the Vietnam War.
The Essay on Vietnam War 7
Vietnam was a small Asian country, 9000 miles away from the United States. Yet America felt that its national interest was threatened strongly enough to fight a war there. The explanation for this lies in the fear caused by the spread of communism at that time. The role of communism was extremely important in this conflict. You see, the US had to enter the war to stop the spread of communism in ...
Campus protests were mainly peaceful, but some turned violent. However, not all people of ages 18-35 were against the Vietnam War. In fact, most of the soldiers who fought in Vietnam were volunteers. The war provided a means of social mobility for some; instead of living unemployed and uneducated, many young men opted to join the armed forces and seek specialized training there. Many of these attempts were unsuccessful and many soldiers came home with life-altering handicaps such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Agent Orange, and devastating injuries.
The Vietnam War’s effects on the population of 18-35 have caused changes that are still being felt today. Oversea engagement has caused many changes in America’s political and social structure throughout history, but the Vietnam War can be credited as one of the more influential. America’s headstrong belief of ‘containing communism’ caused the deaths of countless American and Vietnamese soldiers alike. The changes America experienced during 1961-1975 have left monumental marks on society and political offices for years to come.
