reasons for failure in vietnam Flashcards
the student movement
Initial approval for the war declined as US involvement escalated over time.
The period saw a growth in student anti-war organisations.
Many students were opposed to the draft.
A new ‘counter culture’ was emerging and students were a central part of it.
tv and media coverage of the war
Unlike earlier wars, Vietnam was the first conflict footage on opinion at home where reporters were able to travel with them
impact of media images and footage of opinion at home
This brought the Vietnam War the politicians about what was really going into people’s homes via television
The news reports inspired the American public to get involved in war’ because media coverage was so important understanding and debating the issues
vietnam and the draft system
The draft forced men aged 18-25 years to serve in the military forces.
Men who were chosen for military service were sent draft cards telling them where to report for duty.
In 1966, the first men were drafted; they were chosen on the grounds that the US authorities viewed them as ‘delinquent’,
the impact of increase conscription
The draft system led to widespread public criticism about unfairness, especially as the poorest were hardest hit. Some men burned their draft card or refused to join up. This was a criminal offence so ‘draft dodgers’ had to go into hiding to avoid arrest.
My Lai Massacre
16 March 1968, US troops were sent to the village of My Lai in South Vietnam, where they were told they would come under Vietcong fire. They found only women, children and old men in the village. They killed everyone they found (at least 347, and possibly over 500, civilians)
Public reaction to massacre
People in the USA were not sure what to believe about what had taken place. The government was accused of withholding information.
Significance of the Kent state university shootings
1970 2 May There were several demonstrations and a military training building on campus was set ablaze. 4 May Officials stopped a planned demonstration but 2000 people protested anyway. Tear gas did not break up the crowd and they hurled empty canisters and debris at the National Guardsmen. The National Guard opened fire on the students, killing four and injuring nine
Trial of Lt Calley
Lt Calley led the military action at My Lai on the day of the massacre. He claimed that he had been acting on direct orders from his seniors when the massacre was carried out.
Lt Calley was found guilty of 22 murders and sentenced to life imprisonment - although his sentence was later reduced to three years.
Fear of communism
The Cold War made Americans paranoid about the ‘communist threat’. * By 1954, the fear of communism spreading to other countries was still very strong, although domestically the fear of communism Eisenhower argued that to lose in Vietnam would inevitably lead to a far-reaching spread of communism in the region.
Patriotism
Many Americans were concerned to keep the USA’s standing in the world as high as possible. They did not want a defeat in Vietnam to lead to their country “losing face’.
The silent majority
Nixon sent to the White House his silent majority speech on 3 November 1969.
The silent majority In a televised speech on 3 November 1969, Nixon argued that ‘the great silent majority’ of Americans supported his Vietnam policy.
He was right.
Key agreements
After negotiations had broken down in 1972,
* All countries would accept Vietnam as a further talks began in Paris on 8 January 1973.
single reunified country
Paris peace agreement
1973 The economic and human costs The Paris Peace Agreement, signed by the USA, of the Vietnam War for the USA North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Provisional
The economic and human costs of the Vietnam War
