Chapter 14:
Was the Vietnam war a tragic blunder, a noble cause, or one of the costs of American leadership of the so-called “Free World” or western alliance? What alternative choices might the American leaders have made, considering the range of the international problems they faced? How did the war affect the nation’s people and government?
According to President Eisenhower, the involvement in the Vietnam War was a noble cause and service to the “free world” considering Indochina’s available resources. His fears were that losing one country to Communism could spark a chain reaction, or “falling dominoes” effect on other countries in the region, that would follow suit as a way to protect their economic survival. Some people say that other choices didn’t exist. Simply folding and cutting their losses were not feasible because of the Cold War. This continues to be debated among scholars, historians, and the American people alike. There were many steps that took place before the US ultimately went to Vietnam. The so-called Cold War was in fact quite heated in many parts of the world. Indochina was a constant battleground with superpowers jockeying for position. The French sought to keep heavy influence in Vietnam, beyond their efforts during WWII . Ho Chi Minh, a communist leader in Vietnam, wrote to President Truman and asked for support in their fight for independence. Minh explained his grievances and requested similar help, just as the US granted the Philippines. However, President Truman ignored this request and he backed the French who were perceived to be an allied force with future benefit. The US funded France from 1950-1954 until the French failed in Vietnam.
The American leaders ignored the warning signs such as Undersecretary of State George Ball telling President Johnson directly that the US cannot win a fight in the jungle using guerrilla warfare. These sentiments were echoed in the voices of the American people. Anti-war activism grew wildly across college campuses, thanks to anti-war songs and other actions of the peace movement. By 1970, the majority of Americans considered the US military action a mistake, but when the troops finally came home they would have to wait a decade before a proper homecoming.
Here is a video I found when I was researching this particular song. This video was made by two individuals for another history class and I thought I would share their work.
http://datab.us/nVZAum4MWyE#Godspeed – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Tied into Vietnam
teambadass 