Master Link:
(Vietnam) "To Do:"
Links to Follow: You need a background to understand the following activities. At the following site below type in the word "Imperialism," http://encarta.msn.com/EncartaHome.asp After you believe you understand the definition please move on to Activity One.
Activity 1 Background: The war in Vietnam cost the American Nation upwards to 58,000 dead, 300,000 wounded and over 150 billion dollars. The total tonage of ordnances dropped on this country, approximately the size of California, exceeded by a factor of 3, the total tonage dropped in World War II, by the United States and the Allied Powers. Additionally, this war tore at the fabric of American Society; pro-war, "Hawks" clashed with anti war, "Doves" often coalescing, each with each, as in some macab dance. Patriot or protester, each had their own hit songs on the AM radio: "The Ballot of the Green Berets " by Sargent Barry Sadler, " contrasted with the Fixin to Die Rag," by Country Joe and the Fish. between each view, Vietnamese civilians and American soldiers, each innocent in their own way. Vietnamese civilians caughted in between the idealogical hammer of democracy and communism, can be compared to US soldiers upon returning to the states to chants of "baby killer," often more spit upon than respected.
Before America's fighting began in earnest in 1964, most Americans would be hard pressed to even locate Vietnam on the globe. I was one such individual in the late in the Spring of 1969, who upon receiving his draft notice, started to listen more intently to the news broadcasts about "body counts" KIA's, and MIA's ;about the possibilty of sending more troops to that far a-way land called Vietnam.
This was America's longest war; a war we did not win; a war you can see on the faces of the appoximately 1/3 of American homeless who are veterans of Vietnam. In addition to returning vets, American, after the war ended experienced and continue to experience immigration from Vietnam. Many of these individuals either fought on the side of the American troops or worked in for the Americans in some capacity. Some American GI's, fathered children or married Vietnamese women. These factors, mixed with the communists takeover of the South in 1975, greatly influenced Vietnamese immigration to the states. In some ways, the influence of this 11 year war is still upon us.
Activity 1 Links:
Activity 1 Directions: Create a visual timeline of American involvement in the war in Vietnam. Involvement means more than just military advice or troops. With this in mind, you should start with the ending of WW II and conclude with the treaty signed in Paris (75 points possible)
Activity 2 Background: The war in Vietnam was America's first televised war. Each night it was brought into American homes by one of the three major American television networks, CBS, NBC, or ABC. This was before the advent of Cable TV, satellite technology and hundred or so channels these technologies made available. Walter Chrokite, America's preeminent, and perhaps most respected newcaster, shocked the nation as well as the government, when in late 1968 he announced, that in his opinion, this war in Vietnam, was not being won by the United States. Opinion concerning the war changed in 1968, with the Tet Offensive And while militarily American prevailed, (in fact it was a great victory) in the court of public opinion, the tide turned against the war. Later on, with America's expanison of the war into Cambodia and Laos; with America Students dead at Jackson and Kent State (in war protests); with the American publics discovery of the My Lai Massacre; with the chants of "Hey hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today;" with American accusations against American soldiers as "Baby killers;" America found itself in a vastly unpopular war.
Activty 2 Links:
Activity 2: A War of Controversy Directions: In a minimum of two typed pages, demonstrate your understanding of the controversy caused by the war in Vietnam within American society. Who supported the war? Who spoke out and protested against this war? What were the reasons given by each side? What resolution was reached if any? I have given you some basic information above. However it is just a start. (50 points possible) Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .
Activity 3 : Directions and Links: As mentioned in Activity 2, 1968 was a critical year in America, in terms of its policy in Vietnam. However this was not the only important issue or event of that year. In fact it was just one of many explosive issues the U.S. was faced with during that year. Your Job is to:
a. List other specific important/traumatic/controversial events which occured in the United States in 1968. I am looking for some very specfic historical events, so do not just give me events that occured in Vietnam, although at least one of these too will be important. (6-8 minimum)
b. In a minimum of 1/4 a page, each, tell me what happened for each event and why they were important. (40 points possible)
c. Finally, pick one event which you feel had the greatest impact, at that time upon American Society. (You will need to think about this part a bit as historical evidence might be hard to come by.) (Length: 1 and 1/2 to 2 pages) (50 points possible) Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .
Activity 4 Background: 1968: Election Year/ As discussed, 1968, for the United States, was an eventful year. Some historians would argue that 1968 was a turning point in U.S. history. 1968 was presidential election year. As an election year, the candidates had many issues to discuss. The most important issue however continued to revolve around the American presence in Vietnam. In fact this was the year the opinion polls began to show an almost fifty-fifty split in public suport.
Activity 4. Links:
Activity 4 Directions
A. Complete the Chart Below. (36 Points possible)
B. Richard Nixon promised "Peace with Honor," if elected. He won and became president. In a minimum of half a page what does "Peace with Honor" mean? (15 points possible)
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Politial Party Affiliated with |
View on Vietnam or What They Promised They Would do in Vietnam if Elected |
Groups who Supported Their Views |
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Eugene McCarthy |
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Lyndon Johnson |
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Robert Kennedy |
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Richard M. Nixon & his Running Mate:Spiro T Agnew |
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George Wallace & his Running Mate: General Curtis Lemay |
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Hubert Humphrey |
Activity 5 Background: A Bright Shining Lie It is not unusual for literary works to be written that revolve around the theme of war. Steven Crane's, The Red Badge of Courage and Ian Kantor's, Andersonville are two examples of works which concern themselves with the American Civil War. Perhaps one of the most influencial works, still in publication today, is the classic All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque. This work concerns itself with WWI, from the German perspective. This work unlike many, does not attempt to glorify war. Some say it was responsible for the rise of Pacifist Movements after the war. The war in Vietnam influenced a generation of 60's writers. Robert Stone's Dog Soldiers and Neil Sheehan's A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and the American in Vietnam are examples of works about the war in Vietnam. In the twentieth Century, film makers have also contributed to the war effort. Glory (Civil War) , Fail Safe (Cold War) , The Longest Day (WWII), are three such films. Rambo, Apocalypse Now, Hamburger Hill, Plantoon, and Full Metal Jacket, Born on the Forth of July are examples of films made which deal with Vietnam.
Activity 5 Links and Directions: The Decision: Read the following excerpt from A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan and complete the following tasks.
(1) State the dilemma faced by Jesse? (5) points possible.
(2) In a minimum of a page and a half (typed, double spaced) describe what you would have done, if you were in Jesse's situation. Tops grades will be earned by those who can demonstrate their understanding of the issues involved. (50 points possible) Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .
Activity 6: Background Homeless Vets As you have discovered , by 1968, the war in Vietnam, in some ways, had caused a rip in the fabric of American society. American soldiers, sent to Vietnam were often caught in the middle of this every widening controversy. The average age of the American GI's,who fought in Vietnam, was 19. Often just out of high school, they could read about the anti-war protests in America. In addition, popular music often dealt with America's involvement, (mostly in a negative manner) on the AM radio. Many felt the sting even worse when they returned home from oversees. In an age when long hair was king, a GI haircut stood out. There were few welcome home parades or thank-you's by a nation, bent on forgetting America's longest war, a war we did not win. It is a war still with us in many ways. Immigration to the United States from Vietnam and an increase in homelessnes are legacies of this war. Currently, 1/3 of the homeless in America are veterans who fought in Vietnam. There is no one single reason for this. It is your quest to determine it causes.
Activity 6 Links
Activity 6 Directions: Your job is to try and determine the reasons for the inordinate amount of homelessness by Vietnam veterans. I suggest this may be the hardest assignment I have given you this year as I am looking for some very specific reasons, that only research on your part will reveal. In addition I expect you to approach this question from a variety of viewpoints. Things you must address
The nature of the war or how was it fought and why did this impact American soldiers?
What did they see in Vietnam that caused them such problems when they returned? and have to deal with, which caused such problems?
Treatment of American soldiers during the war and when they returned.
The nature of the media (radio, tv and newsprint) and their treatment of the soldiers (100 points possible) (Minimum Length 3 pages) Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .