Vietnam War Affecting America

Essay by camel201High School, 12th grade April 2004

download word file, 5 pages 5.0

"Vietnam is still with us. It has created doubts about American judgment, about American credibility, about American power--not only at home, but throughout the world. It has poisoned our domestic debate. So we paid an exorbitant price for the decisions that were made in good faith and for good purpose."

At one point in time American troops were then given the "permit to use more active defense," and soon after, the number soared to 82,000 American troops in Vietnam. From there, the American defense quickly turned into an offense, and transportation flights turned in to rescue missions. This was about the time that Americans at home began to become worried that the war in Vietnam was getting out of hand. Small protests broke out amongst college students across America, but these began to become very serious. On April 17, 1965 The Students for a Democratic Society organized a national protest on the steps of the capitol in Washington D.C.2

Television coverage enraged people by misleading facts and disturbing war images of troops killing women and children. Frustration in America grew and riots and protests got out of hand as no questions seemed to be answered. Students protested and gathered, building rage against the war spurring events like the Kent State Massacre. The Kent State Massacre is named after a calm protest uprooted when guards killed and wounded students by opening fire on a mass of students as they gathered on the Kent State campus. Events such as the Kent State Massacre enraged Americans more than ever causing violent riots and outbreaks. Meanwhile, America's position in Vietnam worsened.

King believes the non-violence approach is the best way to fight discrimination. In Kings speech to the public, he wants everyone to take a stand but do it silently. He tries to...