A further crucial aspect is the way in which the media covered the war. Media coverage was extensive and brought the horror and the reality of war into the ordinary American home as never before. Another aspect was the emergence of the " new left" element in the country which was critical not only of the war but of the way that the society was being run and administered in general. The site provides some insightful background on this aspect. "The Vietnam War was unprecedented for the intensity of media coverage -- it has been called the first television war -- as well as for the stridency of opposition to the war by the so-called "New Left." (Vietnam War)
As mentioned, stress and trauma and its after-effects were largely ignored in veterans who returned home after the war. However, more recently this condition has become known as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It is also a disorder that is now recognized formally as a medical condition that is related to exposure to combat trauma.
Veterans returning from the war were therefore largely unaware of this disorder and were consequently not treated adequately. The site also makes the point that the veterans often had extreme difficulties in readjusting and being accepted back into society. "Many Vietnam veterans tended to be extremely isolated from relationships and community, primarily as a result of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition, many veterans had great difficulty in rejoining the very tightly knit extended families and communities in their...
"(Vietnam War)
It must also be remembered in this regard that due to the dissent and debate in the society about the war, the reaction to the returning troops was not positive from many sectors of the society and this added to the sense of isolation and exclusion that the veterans experienced.
There is little doubt that the Vietnam War has been one of the most disturbing event is recent American history and one which has shaped and changed the nature of the society to a large extent. After the Vietnam War for example there was much more suspicion and doubt about the intensions of the government and authorities.
The site that this information was extracted from was not the best site in terms of appearance or size and was even plagued by some irritating advertisements. However, the information that was provided was clear and of a high quality. The site also had a wide range of topics which provided a good overview of many of the important aspects this time in American history. There was also a well constructed time line of the war as well as a wealth of information on aspects such as weapons and other pertinent details.
What the site helped to do was to extend the understanding of the various aspects of this time in American history and to show how major events like the Vietnam War have a far - reaching and profound impact on society and its future.
Bibliography
Vietnam War. Aug 1, 2006. http://www.vietnam-war.info/history/
