Transcript vs.
consider: What is the message of this song? What would lead someone to write a song like this? consider: How are the media’s images of WWII different than the images of Vietnam? WWII: Vietnam: Why did the U.S. increasingly get involved in the 50s and 60s? We had originally planned on only aiding a U.S.friendly government, but this gets out of hand Why did the U.S. increasingly get involved in the 50s and 60s? domino theory: idea that if one country became communist, others would follow What is the immediate reason that the U.S. got involved in a “war” in Vietnam? Tonkin Gulf Resolution: following alleged attack, Congress gave President power to use military without war declared this leads to The Vietnam “War” 1965-1975 sides: United States vs. Vietcong method of fighting United States lots of bombing, napalm, and Agent Orange to destroy forests A famous This shows a birth photo by Agent defect caused a Orange. following Many grew bombing. sick from the chemicals used in Vietnam. method of fighting Vietcong guerilla warfare using tunnel systems this leads to stalemate in Vietnam and the following divide in the United States: sides: liberal doves vs. conservative hawks what they wanted: liberal doves conservative hawks to leave Vietnam to end communism in Vietnam events used to promote their ideas liberal doves 1968 Tet Offensive shows that Vietcong is still strong despite U.S. government saying war is “almost won” & events used to promote their ideas liberal doves 1968 My Lai Massacre of civilians by U.S. soldiers, attempted cover-up fails events used to promote their ideas conservative hawks 1968 Democratic Convention and Kent State University protest shows liberal protests becoming violent; “silent majority” looks to government for leadership events used to promote their ideas conservative hawks 1968 Democratic Convention and Kent State University protest shows liberal protests becoming violent; “silent majority” looks to government for leadership this leads to Richard Nixon elected in 1972 on a promise of leaving Vietnam with honor. He conducts secret bombing campaigns after elected. this leads to The United States leaves Vietnam by 1973. This entire Vietnam “War” experience leads to 1. The Fall of Saigon: North Vietnam takes over the South to create the communist nation of Vietnam in ‘75. & 2. Many Americans lost trust in the government • Pentagon Papers prove U.S. planned war even when they said otherwise and knew that the war was unwinnable • War Powers Act says president must tell Congress when troops are sent overseas and must get approval after 90 days 3. Vietnam veterans memorial is built 1982 …and many intangibles This Vietnam prison camp survivor and his wife are divorced within a year. WWII and the Korean War were both supported patriotically by almost all Americans, largely due to the media being used as propaganda. Describe how each famous photograph of the Vietnam “War” turned many against the government and the war, showing a new approach to war by the media in Vietnam. As we listen to other songs from the Vietnam war era, write some lines of your own song. It can be for or against the war. Use at least three of the terms that we discussed in your lyrics. Ballad of the Green Berets Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You into Heaven Anymore The Times, They are a-Changin’ Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation Fortunate Son I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag Support our troops. Peace now, man.