The Vietnam War - Yesterday and Today (Cool Intro that i can't think of) The United States has taken place in a number of wars that had an innumerable amount of effects, both good and bad, on the history of us as a nation. One of these conflicts include the Vietnam War, taking place from 1954 through till 1975 with the North seizing control of the Southern Vietnamese capital of Saigon. ("Vietnam War History.") While at its peak over half a million US soldiers were stationed on the Vietnam soil, we did not have a physical enemy to fight, but an ideal that the United States opposed, this being communism. With this, we were “willing” to send young men to battle in order to keep this ideal suppressed in other nations. Ultimately, this would end
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US military forces had a main goal, which was aiming to kill as many enemy troops as possible rather than trying to secure territory. By 1966, large areas of South Vietnam had been named “free-fire zones”. In these areas, all innocent civilians were supposed to have evacuated and only enemy troops remained there. ("Vietnam War History.") Even as the body count steadily increased though, the Vietcong troops refused to stop fighting, often feeling encouraged by the fact that they could easily reoccupy territory that was once lost. Along with being supported with aid from China and the Soviet Union, which allowed for the North Vietnam to strengthen its air force. ("Vietnam War History.") By the end of 1967, close to 500,000 American troops were stationed in Vietnam, and the American people began to wonder if they were ever to return home from …show more content…
They do not return home with just themselves, but stories of tragedy, mental health problems, and drug addictions. But the effect of the war was much greater beyond the soldiers. Over the years of 1965-1973 the war, we spent over $120 billion on the war in Vietnam. This spending led to a widespread inflation, inflamed by a worldwide oil crisis in 1973, and a rise in fuel prices. ("Vietnam War History.") This war also brought an end to the draft, which many people were very much against. Many men burned their draft cards out of rage. Purely, they not wanting to go to Vietnam and watch those who they love die or die themselves. (DeLeon) The end of the war also lead to the passing of the 26th Amendment, which gave people at the age of 18 the right to vote. During the war, many felt it was wrong that these boys could be drafted at 18 but not vote until they were 21. If they were to go fight in another country, they should at least be able to have a say in their government.
US military forces had a main goal, which was aiming to kill as many enemy troops as possible rather than trying to secure territory. By 1966, large areas of South Vietnam had been named “free-fire zones”. In these areas, all innocent civilians were supposed to have evacuated and only enemy troops remained there. ("Vietnam War History.") Even as the body count steadily increased though, the Vietcong troops refused to stop fighting, often feeling encouraged by the fact that they could easily reoccupy territory that was once lost. Along with being supported with aid from China and the Soviet Union, which allowed for the North Vietnam to strengthen its air force. ("Vietnam War History.") By the end of 1967, close to 500,000 American troops were stationed in Vietnam, and the American people began to wonder if they were ever to return home from …show more content…
They do not return home with just themselves, but stories of tragedy, mental health problems, and drug addictions. But the effect of the war was much greater beyond the soldiers. Over the years of 1965-1973 the war, we spent over $120 billion on the war in Vietnam. This spending led to a widespread inflation, inflamed by a worldwide oil crisis in 1973, and a rise in fuel prices. ("Vietnam War History.") This war also brought an end to the draft, which many people were very much against. Many men burned their draft cards out of rage. Purely, they not wanting to go to Vietnam and watch those who they love die or die themselves. (DeLeon) The end of the war also lead to the passing of the 26th Amendment, which gave people at the age of 18 the right to vote. During the war, many felt it was wrong that these boys could be drafted at 18 but not vote until they were 21. If they were to go fight in another country, they should at least be able to have a say in their government.