The Vietnamese war and the policies of the government during the 1970’s were chaotic enough, yet against the protests of left wing radicalists, such as Nick and Lucy in COSI, protagonists of the Vietnamese war, society had descended into anarchy, the madness of society comparable to that of a mental institution. War is mad enough yet after the development of nuclear technologies and policies of Mutually Assured Destruction, war, the Vietnamese war was pure inconceivable madness. It was no wonder that protests for the war to cease began, seen in COSI as Nick leads the moratorium against the government” 1,2,3,4 we don’t want your fuckin’ war. Radicalise the nation”, his readiness to implore violence utter lunacy, “barricades and bombs, why not?” The…
“Vietnam: A Necessary War” is a summary of a book of a similar name by author Michael Lind. The book addresses the viewpoint that the Vietnam War was both moral and necessary for eventual victory in the Cold War. Michael Lind graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with honors in English and History, received an MA in International Relations from Yale University, and a JD from the University of Texas Law School. In 1990-1991 he worked as Assistant to the Director of the U.S. State Department’s Center for the study of Foreign Affairs. From 1991-1994 he was Executive Editor of The National Interest, and from 1994-1998 he worked for Harper’s Magazine,…
The Vietnam War involved many decisions and outcomes, many of which have latter been reviewed with more uncertainty then confidence. With this Michael Hunt, the author uses both American and Vietnamese resources, some which before the book were never heard from. He uses these sources to try to explain how the United States of America was sucked into involvement with Southeast Asia. The overall conclusion of the book does not bring to many new views on why the United States involved itself with the issues of Vietnam but more confirms already believed views that they began in the conflict with comprehension of Vietnam’s problem other than the issue of the cold war.…
However, these Vietnamese have never been given the credit of that suffering. Instead, later presidents such as Bill Clinton renewed the sanctions against Vietnam, further fuelling hatred against the Vietnamese. Ironically, the US continued to rebuild Germany and Japan after World War II; countries that committed heinous atrocities on an enormous scale. In the case of the Vietnam conflict, the US has somehow lost its compassion and ability to make amends, pardon, reach out and shake the hand of an enemy and befriend them again (Riordan, p. 244). If all these actions were done to befriend Vietnam again, the USA would become a better country. Although some would treat Stone’s statements and thesis on the Vietnam conflict as political speeches, there could be truth in his stance on the…
Not only did National Security change after the John F. Kennedy assassination, it is said that the Vietnam War may not have happened. Kennedy's defenders argued passionately that if he was reelected in 1964, Kennedy would have withdrawn American troops from Vietnam. If Kennedy were to have withdrawn troops from Vietnam, it would have resisted pressure to escalate the war. With the assassination, it is not certain what Kennedy would have chosen to do about Vietnam. Whether he would have increased military involvement or would have extracted troops still remains debated between historians and officials. By 1965, LBJ authorized United States troops to begin military offensives and start the bombings of North Vietnam. In January 1975, North Vietnam began invasions of South Vietnam. By the time the American war in Vietnam was over. More than 3,000,000 Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans had lost their lives(JFK Library and Museum). It is possible, that in the absence of the assassination that the tragedy of the Vietnam war could have been avoided. Not only is it possible that the Vietnam war may have been avoided, it is probable that the Civil Rights…
Rules of engagement that the United States followed were formulated to limit the force of operations in North Vietnam. The focus was to destroy North Vietnam’s abilities to fight, but in a way that would not upset China and Russia. The last thing the United States wanted was a full blown war with the Communists (Moss,2010). The ROE with limited war ideology and its assumptions are seen through the perspectives and experiences of six levels.…
The American involement in the Vietnam war is a conversial topic because many thing occured during that time that didn't set well in many Americans souls. This war reveal many tragic losses to people livelihood. These losses made certain americans wonder how American involement participation was unjust. The solution to this gruesome war was not agreed on by many americans . Martin Luther King Jr builds his argument on the affect of the felllow americans and the ways american solves the problems in vietnam.…
Ho Chi Minh responded by saying “the violation of our fundamental national rights still continues in South Vietnam” saying “Our Vietnamese people are deeply devoted to peace, a real peace with independence and real freedom, determined to fight to the end.” Ho Chi Minh sounds familiar to that of revolutionary America because when writing this letter he in fact used text from the Declaration of independance. Minh called out Nixon writing “You have expressed the desire to act for a just peace the U.S must cease war of aggression and withdraw troops. Respect the people to dispose of themselves without foreign influence” Minh wants his nation to be independent and safe without foreign intruders like the colonies with Britain. These letters of correspondence showed south vietnam’s unwillingness to cooperate with the Nixon administration. Although the United states had hurt many with its unsuccessful war, it was not until the Nixon…
Martin Luther King opposed the Vietnam War and stood strongly against its continuation because it not only hurt the Vietnamese people but it took its toll on the American people also. Before the beginning of the war, the government was funding an experimental “Poverty Program” to help those individuals in need. Instead, the money was used to support the Vietnam war. Dr. King was outraged at this decision because he felt that the war was pointless. He believed that the money could be used in a much better way.…
First, Brian VanDeMark discussed how badly Vietnam divided America in so many different ways. Not only did the war split political leaders but typical people for a long time. Lyndon Johnson’s biggest…
Robert Kennedy’s speech on the Vietnam War on March 18, 1968 addresses the dire consequences of the war. His speech criticized the actions taken by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson. RFK’s speech uses parallel structure and other rhetorical devices to appeal to the audience’s emotion, logic, and ethics. The use of parallel structure throughout the speech contributes to RFK’s views of the Vietnam War. “.. a year when we choose not simply who will lead us, but where we wish to be led; the country we want for ourselves- and the kind we want for our children.” This quote is a call to the American people to step up and not only be heard on their views on a president by voting, but to speak up on their views of the morality and direction of our country to keep this country good for not only them, but for generations to come. He uses parallel structure to persuade his audience to take his side in ending the Vietnam War. Another quote RFK uses to persuade his audience to end the Vietnam War is,” I am concerned- as I believe most Americans are concerned- that we are acting as if no other nations existed, against the judgement... I am concerned- as I believe most…
King Institute (na) (2011). Martin Luther King, Jr. and the global freedom struggle. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from: http://www.kinginstitute.info/…
In document 29-1, President Kennedy says the United States are fighting in Vietnam because the United States do not want Vietnam to be a communist. Vietnam needs extensive assistance from capitalist states because Vietnam is not capable of defending themselves from the communist. He also says that Vietnam falling to the communism means that the entire Southeast Asia potentially falls to the communism, and it eventually threatens the United States and their allies. Therefore, the war in Vietnam is for Americans to protect their free capitalist ideology. He concludes that “For when freedom is destroyed in one country, it is threatened throughout the world” (RAP 29-1). This statement was one of the most notable arguments that was meant to legitimize what is happening in the Vietnam. However, in reality, it was questionable whether the United States really needed to fight in the Vietnam or not.…
On April 4,1967, in Riverside Church, New York City Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers a speech called Beyond Vietnam He initiates, “War is not the answer. Communism will never be defeated by the use of atomic bombs or nuclear weapons. Let us not join those who shout war and, through their misguided passions, urge the United States to relinquish its participation in the United Nations.” (Martin Luther King) Dr. King presents facts and evidence to act against communism. Dr. King influences the audience to have a positive enforcement for democracy rather than evoke a communist system. He states that by having positive intentions and actions to appeal for, it will prevent conditions of the poor, and unfairness. Which are the fertile soil in which the seed of communism grows and develops.” Especially since he states “America is known to be, the richest and most powerful nation in the world, it can well lead the way in this revolution of values.” Dr. King argues that war is not the solution to resolve with enemies however in fact war increases poverty, insecurity and injustice. He suggests that American government should act upon the promises they made on the leaflet which includes peace, democracy and land reform for the citizens. Dr. King argues against war in ethical, logical and emotional manner.…
In the speech “Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence,” by Martin Luther King Jr. he expresses his opinion on how the Vietnam war is unjust. King was really able to speak to his audience by using evidence, reasoning, and a persuasive writing style throughout his speech.…