Vietnam War: Media, Memory & Impact

This assignment delves into the complex relationship between the Vietnam War, media coverage, and its enduring legacy. Students are tasked with analyzing how media portrayals shaped public perception during the conflict and continue to influence our understanding of this pivotal historical event. The analysis should encompass various aspects like news reporting, propaganda, anti-war protests, and their impact on collective memory.

The Vietnam War - What was the role
of the anti-war movement in changing
American opinions toward the
Vietnam War?

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Reason behind change in American opinion at the time of anti war moment............................2
List of protest taking place in Vietnam War...............................................................................5
Vietnam War Stopped.................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Vietnam is a South-east Asian Country which is popularly known for its sea, beaches,
rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi is a capital of Vietnam which is ranked
amongst one of beautiful city in the world. The Vietnam War is the only war which was being
lost by the USA and started due to involvement of US in the 1960's in Vietnam. This was a first
time when USA actually faced a heavy loss in war and indicated as horror of war which was
being witnessed by the people from their living rooms. This project will lead to provide a
description about completely Vietnam War with its causes and the Anti War moment which
changed the opinion of Americans that they might lose something in their entire life process 1.
This is completely based on historical property and aspects which are related with the project so
that it determines and define consideration would get evaluated properly. This study clearly
include certain graphical aspects and major consideration so that causes of war could be
identified and evaluated.
MAIN BODY
Vietnam war was one of a largest and costly war ever fought in the American History
which was a single one where American pull them back. The War started from the year 1954 to
1975 in which majorly South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in which North
Vietnam got victory in nature of frame. This war got started just because America wanted
democracy in nature and not wanted to be a part of communist world 2. This was the only reason
why America put their leg into such kind of position.
They think that if one of a nation become communist then others might get influence
from it and become take up communist practices. This was the only reason they supported South
Vietnam in war and provided them sufficient arm and forces to deal with such position in a better
manner. But when situations got changed and become out of the control as they put them in such
kind of war so that a better results could be drawn. Usually it refers to such period when USA
and other stated and members of SEATO joined the force of South Vietnam so that they could
1 Ayalon, A., Popovich, E. and Yarchi, M., 2016. From warfare to imagefare: How states
should manage asymmetric conflicts with extensive media coverage. Terrorism and
Political violence, 28(2), pp.254-273.
2 Iriye, A. and Saunier, P. eds., 2016. The Palgrave Dictionary of Transnational History:
From the mid-19th century to the present day. Springer.
1

made appropriate contest with communist consideration and aspects better in which they deal out
with Viet Cong and North Vietnam Army.
During that time, United States had the largest presence of military where they essential
directed the war from period of 1965 to 1968. It was one of a longest occurring war in the United
State history until presence made for Afghanistan (2002 – 2014). Although, United States failed
to get a military victory in frame where South Vietnam was ultimately take over by North
Vietnam. Vietnam experience in context of United States is known as “the only war which
America lost”. Although, it become and indicated as major topic in recent time and even today
where more and more decisions getting impacted over 3.
Casualties in the War
In that war, USA suffered around 47000 killed with 11000 non-combat deaths in
consideration. Along with this, 10000 were missing during this war. Along with this, South
Vietnam faced a lot of casualties of their civilians which was lower estimated about 415,000. still
Viet Cong and North Vietnam where such institutions who were not able to calculate the
wounded. In the year 1995, Vietnam government stated that around 1.1 million combatant had
died during 1954 to 1975 with 6,00,000 more wounded.
Thus, such casualties define that number of death were high in frame where maximum
number of individuals died in such war. It is really essential to determine the harm which reflect
through this war as it has emerged to be one of deadliest war in the American history as they
suffered defeat.
Reason behind change in American opinion at the time of anti war moment
Although, Americans previously think that they had the widest and super power in the
world as compared with others as well as have much potential to defeat any nation or
organisation. But after the Vietnam war this perspective of many Americans changed and have
realised that Vietnam and related communist parties too possessed with a potential to fight war
against supreme nations 4.
An anti war movement launched as people does not war to be continued as large number
of people lost their lives due to war. The significant rise in the causalities influenced people in
3 Katz, Andrew Z. "Public opinion and foreign policy: The Nixon administration and the
pursuit of peace with honor in Vietnam." In The Vietnam War, pp. 109-126. Routledge,
2017.
4 Kirk, D., 2016. Tell it to the Dead: Memories of a War. Routledge.
2

turning away from war situations. Interestingly many American TV shows during that time said
that US have won the war but the stories got reversed by the evening. Vietnam war costed
around $25 billion per year as well as number of casualties had reached with 15,058 killed and
109,527 wounded. USA took their hands back during the year 1973 when they feel that number
of deaths were getting and are inclined to rise again and again.
One of a major reason behind involvement of USA would be consider as a domino theory
where they felt that if one country would fall under communist consideration then other one
would also getting influenced from them 5. Here, Central Intelligence Agency clearly depicted
that America had a good and strong presence in pacific which helped them in acting as a leader
on an international level. Along with this, another statement clearly describe that United State
had nothing to gain with this war but they had lost much due to their involvement in the war.
During the period of President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration much financial services and
support start providing to South Vietnam with appropriate American advisors were sent help for
them.
Thus, such statements by the CIA clearly defined that they had a differ opinion regarding
North Vietnam where they found that such nation have more power and strength as compared
with USA. With such aspects and understanding of North Vietnam individuals and their
potential, it create a differ image of such war where American started to think that such war is a
waste of time and would not provide beneficial attribute in frame.
The earlier movement started during the period of 1963 at such course, US military started
intervening into the Vietnam as they start bombing into the North Vietnam by considering it as
one of a state of communism. One of a major reason behind such kind of protest and antiwar
movement could be related with frustration of American people. As such USA people wanted
peace and relaxation just because this war took and approximation of 10 years to completion and
which spoiled economy and educational institutions. This impacted the life which was being lead
by the people in the educational institutions, colleges and governmental organizations..
Although, Students, government officials, labor unions, church groups and middle class families
increasingly opposed the war as it climaxed in 1968, forcing a gradual withdrawal of U.S. Forces
6. Thus, USA army was enforced to back off their hands from such war movement and define as
first mass movement in the USA. This Anti- war movement divided into four major stages whom
5 Luyt, B., 2016. Wikipedia, collective memory, and the Vietnam war. Journal of the
Association for Information Science and Technology, 67(8), pp.1956-1961.
3

required to understand and determine properly and define as major reason behind such course of
aspect.
This movement started in 1964 and gained momentum soon after that and remained
active for a long period of time. During the 1960 and 1970, war remain continued, but certain
steps get demonstrated to end the war in define period of course. Many of the individuals who
protested for this movement were college students, mothers etc. As per the opinion of Gallup
polls, it clearly stated that involvement and intervention of US military was a mistake and there
was a need to take back their hands off at earlier course of frame 7. Although, this movement got
spread in college students when western media defined the proof of casualties with photos and
other aspects well. Thus, students started protesting against such movement because civilians
death was not accepted at any course of cost and not indulge as a part of war previously. They
just wanted peace and end of the such kind of war. Thus, such war changed the perception of
many Americans that they have potential to deal with any country as well as define US military
as one of a rigid in nature where they just want win but nothing else. This widespread of this
movement in country as well where government used to stop their intervention at course of time.
Hence, this defined as another major reason behind not aligning with such war and US pulled
their hands off.
Another justified reason of war was domino theory and threat of communism which was
not justified properly as per the legal context. The reason behind changing this opinion would be
considered for that communist threat was just a scapegoat but nothing else so that they could
hide down their imperialistic intentions. This supported individual to start protesting against this
Vietnam War as such war started due to self-determination of country and proving down their
power as well. On the other hand, some American made their viewpoint that such war is only a
civil war which just intervene to define fate of a country at vast level. This changed opinion of
many individuals opinion changes towards country and their aspect where US individuals start
protesting against their country military 8.
6 Olien, Clarice N., Phillip J. Tichenor, and George A. Donohue. "A guard dog
perspective on the role of media." In The Media, Journalism and Democracy, pp. 21-38.
Routledge, 2018.
7 Polner, M., 2018. Disarmed and Dangerous: The Radical Life and Times of Daniel and
Philip Berrigan, Brothers in Religious Faith and Civil Disobedience. Routledge.
8 Routh, D.K., 2017. The first new nation: The United States in historical and
comparative perspective. Routledge.
4

Although, many individual’s opinions tend to get change for the Vietnam War in which
Americans became against for their country US. Thus, such individuals behind this Anti- war
movement includes certain people whom are signify as follow:
Students: These are the one whom protested against such kind of war where great deal of civic
movement took place throughout the 1960’s. Although, during the period of 1960, most number
of individuals got enrolled in college which further enabled them to think that if such fight would
not be stopped then they also used to involve in such civil war further. As such students started
opposing this foreign civil war because they just wanted peace and thought that military do not
have any concern towards them. Around 9 million students got enrolled in the college during the
period of 1960 which was very high at such defined course of time. Around 10% students of
2500 college of US protesting against this Vietnam war in a violent manner which made things
and situation more inappropriate in nature of frame 9.
Arts: Another aspect which support such Anti-war movement is art of Americans. Many
Americans started designing and proclaiming their creativity to describe the situation and
disparity of life taking place in Vietnam and United State. Many film makers started making
documentary by using real life war aspects of Vietnam and between US. This along made vast
impact on Americans as well as their opinion used to get changed. Thus, this define as another
role of anti-war movement which brings down change in American opinion towards Vietnam
war.
Thus, these were such individuals and bodies who supported this Antiwar movement just
to bring down peace and aspect properly because with this attribute maximum number of
individuals getting impacted over. This started during the 1960 – 1970 but continued after the
war end and pulled down the hands by US military during 1972. Although, many civilians died
and got wounded as well which need to understand by military properly. Although, students
think that if such stances would be continued further then it directly leads to made vast influence
on students’ future as well as on arts frame. The war spread across many parts of the USA and
South Vietnam as well as in North Vietnam as well.
Although, many laces getting bombed due to vast interference and intervention of
military which needed to controlled to be determined manner of course 10. Although, USA facing
a huge defeat in their entire history, where the major reason behind pulling down hands was
9 Seib, P., 2016. Beyond the front lines: How the news media cover a world shaped by
war. Springer.
5

protesting from their home population. Thus, there were various individuals and aspects get
evaluated whom protested against such war because, it would not provide any benefit to any
nation and just reflect lose to them in frame.
List of protest taking place in Vietnam War
At the time of movement at Vietnam, certain number of aspect got categorized on the
basis of violence and non-violence. It is really important to identify and determine the aspect of
violence and non-violence because concept of non-violence already spread in terms of many
people due to arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in India. Majorly, in this Vietnam movement, more
number of individuals were belonging to student groups, African Americans, women etc.
Women are the one against whom inappropriate advantages underneath women were taking
place. This anti-war movement launched just to made peace all over the world during this second
Indo-china war. Although, many people started protesting during the early stage of 1967 in
violent manner 11. Here, they were burn themselves, looting the banks, taking disadvantage of
women get done. Thus, all such attribute is really important to consider while launching the anti-
war movement between the war of Vietnam and America.
Although, student understood this aspect and consideration better and in appropriate
frame. They used to think about on various consideration where they found that if this protest
taking place for long period of course in similar manner with violent manner then it overall
impact upon facts and things. Protest against the Vietnam war taking place from 1960 to1970 for
Vietnam which normally used to take place in United State and be done by local individuals.
Protests took place for a continuous period of 10 years due to its personal and economic
consideration related to the country. It spread across international boundaries and ventured into
nations such as Australia, Europe etc. Although such protest also included certain number of
slogans which used to prepare by devos whom support the anti-war and prepare slogans but there
are certain number of individuals as well who do not used to support the war and define as hawks
12. Thus, common slogans which prepare and chants which prepare for such consideration were
define and describe as follow:
10 Stulberg, A.N. and Salomone, M.D., 2016. Managing defense transformation: agency,
culture and service change. Routledge.
11 Walzer, M., 2017. The triumph of just war theory (and the dangers of success). In
Empowering Our Military Conscience (pp. 27-44). Routledge.
12 Weinstein, D., 2017. Rock protest songs: so many and so few. In The resisting muse:
Popular music and social protest (pp. 27-40). Routledge.
6

Anti- war: "Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?"
Pro-war: "Love our country", "America, love it or leave it", and "No glory like old glory"
These two slogans were famous at that time of war period when protest is taking place
during the year of 1965 to 1970. This really needed to understand properly so that better and
appropriate protest take place in peaceful manner 13.
Vietnam War Stopped
The major reason behind this war stop was related with change in American opinion and
aspects. Although, many people started thinking against America and protest got started in USA
itself because they found that many things went change as well as USA suffer heavy loss under
this war. During the initial days, USA people thinking that they would get won in this war
against Vietnam where US military was supporting South Vietnam in nature. On the other hand,
North Vietnam getting support through Sovereign nations as well as they were supporting
communism. But later, war got stopped in the year 1974 due to American people involvement
and their protests against war.
Protest got started from 1965 to 1973 under which many small or large used to take place
till the first combat troops till last combat troops. This protest started from the small student
groups for their future concern till whole country region where economic loss used to take place.
This aspect and loss changed the opinion of various individuals at far such context where they
used to think that if such situation would not be controlled it may cause harmful results for them
on individual and national aspects.
Along with this, central intelligence agency claimed that if America won the war they
would not get anything but could lose so many things 14. This also modify the thinking aspect of
various individuals, where they still analysing that this was useless and it would not provide any
benefit. Thus, this aspect defined the legal impurity where a need to assess better things was
important. Although, no gain but high pain was a major thing which already define by many
scholars earlier. This was the thing which really determine as essential one to understand earlier
before by USA so that they would not get engage into such war field.
13 VIETNAM WAR. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war>.
14 Facts, information and articles about The Vietnam War. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<http://www.historynet.com/vietnam-war>.
7

Thus, all such get done just because of launching of Anti-war movement which later
known as one of a successful movement during that time. Thus, such aspect work as major
consideration behind ending of this war period and field in define manner so that further loss
could get controlled properly. Students for democratic society had become one of a largest
national demonstration against the war which drew 20000 people in number which was quite
impressive at such time. Students opinion got changed as they found that if such war continuous
for more than two or three years then they also get enforce to engage in such civil war. Thus,
such consideration defines and start supporting and raising this protest in USA with a clear and
define objective to improve such situation 15. During the year 1967, the number of individuals or
student in SDC tend to rise around 30000 in number.
This anti-war movement impacted political consequences more and more just because
President found a fear that if any kind of decision related with bombardment get done on North
Vietnam then many of the activist used to climb the wall of White house and lynch their
president at some course of action.
In the year 1970’s Nixon announced that Cambodia had invaded where protest used to
take place across all over the world where more than 100 campuses of college went on strike.
This movement became successful in nature during the 1973 January when Nixon signed the
Paris Peaceful accord which defined about a good news and one bad news with history of
Vietnam War.
Although, with this movement, a good news which brings down and reflect was related
that certain ordinary people have extraordinary power to influence the things properly when such
people become organised in number. But a bad news which standardise with this attribute would
related with election. Although, Nixon stated that such great number of individuals cannot
simply organise for one election or even one protest.
Although, after this defeat many American opinion altered for the United State of
America which would be term that America would not be a great power alone as they have to
pulled off their hands 16. Although, USA as a world power section opinion get changed because
15 Mark Barringer. The Anti-War Movement in the United States. 2017. [Online].
Available through :<http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/antiwar.html>.
16 VIETNAM WAR PROTESTS. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-protests>.
8

Americans also wanted to win such war but North Vietnam neither wanted to take them back off
as well as they alone struggle for more than 10 years in frame.
Along with this, another opinion was related with US military army which defined as
leading power in the world. But they failed to defeat Vietnam but only enhance number of
causalities for 18- 19 years only. This is very harmful consideration for such individuals because
earlier US military is being considered as one of a leading powerful arm force in the world. But
North Vietnam proved them wrong in tenure and change American opinion regarding this aspect.
Moreover, certain major things on which American opinion got changed was related wit
their army. US military became rigid in nature as they start involving families into the war which
made it harsh to get done. Although, this aspect made war more horrible in nature because things
were not getting done properly as army looking upon on win but nothing else. This enable and
resist them in defining lack of appropriate consideration which further restricted them to work
under provided guidelines and ethics. This thing and aspect would also change the American
opinion regarding the war after this Vietnam War 17. This need to assess and understand properly
by each and every individual which signify as major reason behind such student groups.
As per the opinion of individuals they provided a slogan regarding American army as
"Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" On the basis of this statement, it got
determine that kids were getting killed as well with women where no one was getting appropriate
consideration and harassing. Thus, such aspects changed opinion of many individuals of America
as they found that humanity getting finished completely. Thus, these are certain consideration
which completely modify the aspect of American individuals which change opinion of various
people.
Such kind of consideration were not appropriate in frame which completely going to
decline their aspect and consideration. Like, this was a major harm from previous aspects and
days from last 50 years. This need to understand and determine properly.
Along with this, another slogan would related with "Love our country", "America, love it
or leave it". Here, this line and chant stands and simplify that Americans want peace in their
country as well as in other nation. They clearly defined to the government that either they have to
back off from this war or they will leave the country. Although, the future stances and
consideration were not beneficial because each and every aspect got modify accordingly.
17 The Vietnam War: 5 things you might not know. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/20/us/vietnam-war-five-things/index.html>.
9

Although, such aspects change American’s opinion towards the country and Vietnam War
because things not got done appropriate as well as chances of heavy financial and inappropriate
crises are more in tenure. These all aspects and facts need to consider by America not only but
whole nations so that their future related decisions could be assess and define properly.
Henceforth, crises need to control better in near future course of frame.
CONCLUSION
It get concluded from the this project of study that Vietnam war was the only war which
lose by the USA. This war was one of a inly defeat by USA which got from the North Vietnam
in order to made it democratic nation in the world. Thus, when anti war movement got launched
it influences many American opinion towards the things and aspects. Thus, such opinions would
reflected in this project most which associated with change in thinking pattern, change in social
aspects, culture, view towards the army etc. All these would define in appropriate and suitable
manner so that determined opinion would be reflected properly.
This data got supported with appropriate facts and figures like number of deaths, issues
and incidents taking place during the years etc. All these get done in this project properly so that
define and effective outcome would be reflected better and in signified manner of course. It also
get supported with certain slogans and chants which reflected at such define period of course in
better and supportive manner. Hence, all such aspects need to consider under this project or
study with better research by utilising various sources. Hence, in order to made it valid and
authentic research, certain better things got included and define better.
10

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ayalon, A., Popovich, E. and Yarchi, M., 2016. From warfare to imagefare: How states should
manage asymmetric conflicts with extensive media coverage. Terrorism and Political
violence, 28(2), pp.254-273.
Iriye, A. and Saunier, P. eds., 2016. The Palgrave Dictionary of Transnational History: From
the mid-19th century to the present day. Springer.
Katz, Andrew Z. "Public opinion and foreign policy: The Nixon administration and the pursuit
of peace with honor in Vietnam." In The Vietnam War, pp. 109-126. Routledge, 2017.18
Kirk, D., 2016. Tell it to the Dead: Memories of a War. Routledge.
Luyt, B., 2016. Wikipedia, collective memory, and the Vietnam war. Journal of the Association
for Information Science and Technology, 67(8), pp.1956-1961.
Olien, Clarice N., Phillip J. Tichenor, and George A. Donohue. "A guard dog perspective on the
role of media." In The Media, Journalism and Democracy, pp. 21-38. Routledge, 2018.
Polner, M., 2018. Disarmed and Dangerous: The Radical Life and Times of Daniel and Philip
Berrigan, Brothers in Religious Faith and Civil Disobedience. Routledge.
Routh, D.K., 2017. The first new nation: The United States in historical and comparative
perspective. Routledge.
Seib, P., 2016. Beyond the front lines: How The Vietnam War: 5 things you might not know.
2018. [Online]. Available through :<https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/20/us/vietnam-
war-five-things/index.html>.the news media cover a world shaped by war. Springer.
Stulberg, A.N. and Salomone, M.D., 2016. Managing defense transformation: agency, culture
and service change. Routledge.
Walzer, M., 2017. The triumph of just war theory (and the dangers of success). In Empowering
Our Military Conscience (pp. 27-44). Routledge.
Weinstein, D., 2017. Rock protest songs: so many and so few. In The resisting muse: Popular
music and social protest (pp. 27-40). Routledge.
Online
VIETNAM WAR. 2018. [Online]. Available through :<https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-
war>.
Vietnam War
Facts, information and articles about The Vietnam War. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<http://www.historynet.com/vietnam-war>.
Mark Barringer. The Anti-War Movement in the United States. 2017. [Online]. Available
through :<http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/antiwar.html>.
VIETNAM WAR PROTESTS. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-protests>.
The Vietnam War: 5 things you might not know. 2018. [Online]. Available
through :<https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/20/us/vietnam-war-five-things/index.html>.
18
11