The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War 1 The Vietnam War Julia M. Whitmore Axia College of University of Phoenix The Vietnam War 2 Men, who had received deferments due to their student status, saw themselves in jeopardy of being drafted in the Vietnam War, as graduation day approached many students demanded “real” reasons for the war, asking questions to those in power from the President to the Joint Chief of staff. With a second decade of war approaching, hostilities were high on American college campuses. Atrocities, massive bombing, use of napalm, and hatred and distrust for authority caused students to question the truth; free of cant and propaganda (The Sixties-Student Unrest, 2008). Students dismissed traditional arguments as meaningless. Being born was a new hope, a New World, free of savage competition; hatred for power, a materialistic enslavement would be the errors of old ways. Possibly people everywhere could live in peace. Every sort of freedom was being jeopardized; racial, sexual, religious bias, arrogance of power, and the stupidity that disregarded the environment and life. The government’s arrogant thinking that money and power spelled “Righteousness”, challenged students that this pattern of thinking would potentially be the product of “no questions asked” policy (The Sixties-Student Unrest, 2008). With a country divided, the maimed returning from the battle field of Viet Nam, corpses stacking and Cambodia with its heaviest bombing of civilians, campuses erupting and students being fired on and killed at Jackson State and Kent State, Presidents Johnson and Nixon needed to end the contention and unleash new policies that would create a spirit of transparency (The Sixties-Student Unrest, 2008). Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of student protesters on May 4, 1970, killing four and wounding nine on the grounds of Kent State University. A nation’s conscience was seared and the most powerful images of the 20th century were immortalized and photographed. A 35 year The Vietnam War 3 fatal legacy remains not only on Kent State, but on the University of Jackson as well. Protestors gathered on a grassy site for an antiwar protest on May 2, 1970. First, the Army Reserve Training Corps building was torched and downtown stores were looted the night before. The governor of Ohio called for Ohio National Guard Troops that were armed with tear gas and M-1 rifles (Roberts, 2005). As Guardsmen fired tear gas, protestors threw canisters back along with stones. Frightened Guardsmen opened fire with their loaded M-1 rifles on approximately 2,000 protestors. Guardsmen fired 61 to 67 shots striking 13 students. Two men and two women, four all together, ages 19 and 20 were killed. Out of nine injured, one permanently paralyzed, officials said Guardsmen, without specific orders had discretionary authority to fire, some believed there was sniper fire, evidence of this was never found (Roberts, 2005). The cost to taxpayers was around $150 billion, well over 2 million served in the Vietnam War. 58,000 were killed. Disabled for life, a loss of limbs, poisoned by Agent Orange chemicals, mental problems, drug addicted, and due to their participation in war, veterans were ignored, discriminated against, and shunned by the public and government until recently. Veterans Assistance Programs did not exist until nearly 10 years after the war. Erected in 1982, a Vietnam memorial was made 10 years later. Prestige and influence of the world was lost due to this war. Americans became disenchanted with governmental interference with war operations. The Vietnam War has taught our presidents many lessons. War demonstrations caused rift between our generations. The United States since this war has lost many a patriotic feeling. The American public felt the government in this situation did not handle the war wisely. The public felt lied to, The Vietnam War 4 this war was very costly, and it affected Americans socially, politically, economically, and emotionally (WikiAnswers, 2008). After Vietnam, our country went into a recession. President Johnson spent so much on this war with no way to pay for it. Not learning lessons from World War II, our economy was in crisis. World War II gained productivity during war time with education in post war America. These elements not being present during Vietnam slowed our economy. The War Powers Act in 1973 due to the response of the Vietnam War will keep this from happening ever again (WikiAnswers, 2008). The Vietnam War 5 References Sam Roberts (2005). 1970: tragedy at Kent state. Retrieved August 16, 2008, from Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUE/is_11/137/ai_n17208754 The Sixties-Student Unrest (2008). Retrieved August 16, 2008, from Web site: http//scholar.library.miami.edu/sixties/studentUnrest.php WikiAnswers (2008). Aftermath of Vietnam war. Retrieved August 16, 2008, from Web site: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_political_and_social_outcome_of_the_Vietnam_War The Vietnam War 6