Support And Opposition To The War - US Involvement In The Vietnam War 1954-75

Question 1

What were the reasons for initial support for the Vietnam war up to 1965?

Answer 1

• Cold war
• Fear of communism
• Domino Theory
• Patriotism
• Superiority of capitalism and democracy

Question 2

What did three protestors do in 1965 and what were their names?

Answer 2

They burned themselves to death :
- Roger Allen LaPorte - Nov 1965
- Alice Herz - March 1965
- Normon Morrison - Nov 1965

Question 3

What were the short-term factors for being opposed to the war?

Answer 3

• Events in Vietnam (Tet Offensive)
• Presidential Policy Changes (invading Cambodia)
• Mohammad Ali refused

Question 4

What were the long-term factors for being opposed to the war?

Answer 4

• Rising death toll
• Loss or serious injury of family members
• Length of the war
• The cost of the war (paid from taxes) rose as the cost of US involvement rose
• Black Panthers opposed the war as they faced racism on a daily basis (inc. Mohammed Ali refusal)
• Student movement
• The draft lottery system to recruit soldiers
• Media representation of the war