Vietnam War

The Vietnam War
Nissa Gibson
10-31-2010
His/135
Gerald Franz

In the middle and late 60’s, every male in America had to register for selective service draft at age 18. After that he is eligible to be drafted into the Army for two years. The Anti-war movement became part of a larger protest movement against the traditional American Values and attitudes. ”Although the anti-war movement was frequently associated with the young, support for the war was actually highest in the age group 20-29.” (S.C.Taylor, 2010) The males that were in college received deferments while attending college. Student deferments ended with increasing troop call-ups, thousands of middle- and upper-class youth avoided service through a variety of stratagems. They obtained deferments that ultimately placed the heaviest burdens of combat on America's poor and minority groups.   Once finished with college their names went to the very top of the list of young men to be drafted. The anti-war movement was about young men being drafted then send to war. Most Americans did not believe this war threatened the security of the United States. The movement probably played a role in convincing Lyndon Johnson not to run for reelection in 1968. It may ultimately have helped set the parameters for the conflict and prevented an even wider war.
The rising casualty rates and seeming futility of the war inspired students to protest creating feelings of unrest that appeared to turn public sentiment against the war. This caused many in congress to turn against the war and also affected troop morale. Some of the unrest was driven by ear of having to serve in a war that they did not believe in, as well as the fear of being killed. Some men were motivated by fear of being drafted, others out of commitment, some just joined the crowd. A small minority became revolutionaries who favored a victory by Ho Chi Minh and a radical restructuring of U.S. society.
The end result was out gradual withdrawl and socially this... [continues]

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