Why Did The Vietnam War Changed America

The Vietnam War greatly changed America forever. It was the longest war fought in America’s history, lasting from 1955 to 1973. The Vietnam War scarred America’s self image by because this was the first time in history the United States failed to accomplish what they planned to do in war. The war also had great effects on the American people. It was the first war ever broadcast on TV. The public was able to see what happened on the battlefield.
The Vietnam conflict began long before the U.S. actually joined the war. The French were being slaughtered, and were doing little to keep the communist North Vietnamese out of South Vietnam. We sent financial aid to France to help them with the communist threat. At first the United States attention
now had a total of about 650,000 ground troops in Vietnam. Every important city in South Vietnam was attacked, including the capital Saigon. The fighting lasted for about a month. The outcome was a major military victory for South Vietnam, but it was a great political victory for North Vietnam. It proved that the war was nowhere close to being over. This was a major turning point in America’s public opinion on the war. It made people begin to loose hope in winning the war, and to question the president’s tactics for the war. When the Pentagon announced the number of U.S. casualties since the beginning of war, the number reached 15,058 killed, 109,572 wounded, and about $25 billions dollars spent each year. Because this questioning johnson knew he wouldn't be reacted so he did not run for reelection. On January 20, 1969 Nixon was inaugurated. A few months later he announced the removal of 25,000 United States troops by August of 1969 and another 65,000 to be sent home by the end of the year. His planned was called “Vietnamization” which would bring “peace with honor.” It was designed to turn over the responsibility of war to South Vietnam. The U.S. would strengthen the South Vietnam army so they could fight without direct help from the U.S. This would allow American troops to gradually come
Many civilians were killed and many children were born with birth defects. Their largest crops were destroyed because of the herbicides and bombs used. 800,000 children were orphaned in South Vietnam and at least 10 million people were homeless.
The transition for the soldiers back into public life was a hard as expected. They only received about half the benefits the veterans from other wars received. Some even faced psychological problems, drug addiction, and employment troubles. Their homecoming wasn’t such a celebration as it had been in the years before. They didn’t receive anywhere near the recognition they deserved. As for my grandpa who i interviewed from my mother's side it was not easy to get information.. As i've seen most don't talk very much about the war but i was able to retrieve some info from him, and for him it was a lot for this isn't the first interview i've done with my grandpa about the war and i was able to get more about the war. My grandpa was drafted in on may 5 in 1967 in roughly the middle of the war. He was released on may 2, 1969 as he was gone for 2 years. He said what he missed most out of everything was good friends and family and of course good food. When he returned back he was most excited to start his fresh new life after serving for his country. While being back he was able to attend college but was not able to before due to funds.As it was for most it was hard to adjust but with his newfound