The Vietnam War's impact on American society and culture

U.S. History

Web Project: The Vietnam War and its effect on the country

The Vietnam War is probably one of the most discussed and documented wars in American History. It is also the war that many historians claim had a profound affect on America society and culture. One of the central aims of this paper will be to explore the Vietnam War from the vantage point provided by a particular Web site and to expand on the common knowledge about this historic event. Of particular interest is the way that the Vietnam War impacted and affected culture and societal perceptions in the United States.

In the research for this paper it became clear that the effects of the war were not only limited to the protest movements of the time period, but that the war also led to deeper and more complex affects on the social and cultural psyche of the nation. The research also revealed that there are many results of the war that are not always widely publicized; such as the recent emphasis of the study of post-traumatic stress. All of these aspects were explored from the perspective of the information of the site that was chosen. The intention of this paper is therefore not to reiterate information that is already common knowledge but rather to explore areas that are less commonly known. This topic was chosen because of the important impact that the war has had on society.

2. Choice of Web Site.

There are a number of excellent Websites that cover the general issues surrounding the Vietnam War from numerous angles and [perspectives. One site which was especially good at proving insight into most areas of the war was The Vietnam War (http://www.vietnamwar.com/index.htm)

There was also a section in this site on the effects of the war on society. This however was not the largest site or the most comprehensive. Other sites provides more information on the progress of the war and the effects on the American culture during and after the war. One good site in this regard was Vietnam: Conflict or War (http://members.aol.com/TeacherNet/Vietnam.html).

This is a portal site which collates numerous sources on this topic. However, while there were many links to important information, unfortunately many of the links did not function. The first site mentioned, The Vietnam War, was found to be too general and while impressive from a graphical point-of-view, did not cover the topic in sufficient depth. The site that was chosen to be used as the main reference point of discussion was a relatively small site Vietnam War (http://www.vietnam-war.info/)

One of the reasons for choosing this site rather then others was that while it was not as extensive as some, it provided clear and insightful information into the topic as well as a fairly comprehensive overview of the various effects of the war during the time of war and its aftermath. Another important aspect that makes the site preferable to many others is that the quality of the information was succinct and seemed to be unbiased and balanced.

This web site was also very easy to navigate with clear divisions and sections that were well written and extensive enough to provide more than just the conventional views and information found on most sites on this topic.

The Vietnam war

The fact that 58, 000 American soldiers were killed during the Vietnam War was one central aspect of the war's impact on society. This fact was to lead to the criticisms of the war from within the country. Coupled with this was the public knowledge that between one and two million Vietnamese were killed during the war.

The Web site concisely and comprehensively describes the complex historical causes of the war from a political point-of-view. "The Vietnam War was in many ways a direct successor to the French Indochina War, sometimes referred to as the First Indochina War, in which the French fought to maintain control of their colony in Indochina against an independence movement led by Communist Party leader Ho Chi Minh. " (Vietnam War)

The site also clearly illustrates how the war was in a sense of proxy war in the fight against communism. The formation of the North Vietnamese forces is clearly explained on the site. "After the communists consolidated their power in the North, they formed the National Liberation Front (NLF or Viet Cong) as a guerrilla movement in opposition to the South Vietnamese government. www.vietnam-war.info/history/" (Vietnam War) The various factors that led up to the increase American involvement are also clearly summarized on the History section of the site.

American society and the Vietnam war

As the war increased in intensity and more American involvement became necessary, so did the public suspicion of the intentions and the truthfulness of government policy and pronouncements. As the history section of the site states;

The continued escalation of American involvement came as the Johnson administration, as well as the commander of U.S. forces, General William Westmoreland, repeatedly assured the American public that the next round of troop increases would bring victory. The American public's faith in the "light at the end of the tunnel" was shattered..

Vietnam War)

The important historical and social aspect that is revealed in this conflict within the peace movements is that it brings out the intense debate, confusion and discords that were taking place in the entire society at the time. One therefore gets a picture of the deep divides and schisms even within the protest movement and this is coupled with the pro-war factions and views that were also a central part of the internal debate that was taking place within the American culture at the time.

It is therefore clear that the entire society during the Vietnam War was split along numerous levels and lines and that the war in fact was instrumental in causing the society to question the authority and the moral correctness of the society and the government at the time.

The Vietnam War polarized the American People on many levels. As the site points out there were those who believed in the "Domino Theory," which refers to the view that Vietnam must be prevented for falling into communist hands as this would lead to other nations also becoming communist. Critics of the war ranged from those who saw the military campaign as undecided and without a clear objective to civilian critics who saw the war as immoral

Another section of the site deals with an important issue that was neglected at the time; namely the affect to trauma of the returning soldiers. 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 homes after the war. "(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.