US Soldiers and Their Relationship With Society in America After the Vietnam War
analytical Essay
1591 words
US Soldiers and Their Relationship With Society in America After the Vietnam War Imagine playing in the NCAA National Championship game in front of 50,000 people and millions of others watching via their televisions at home. After an intensely fought game the final score indicates that a loss was suffered. Hopes and dreams of winning a National Championship are gone and one can only contemplate what could have gone the other way and what may be in store for next season on the journey home. Once arriving to campus the cheers and mass distributions of congrats are heard by those in the surrounding society for the effort and hard work exhibited by the players on the team. Although defeat was endured, positivity still lingered amongst the community. The story of the losing team in a National Championship game is seen numerous times every year. However, the relationship the society of America displayed with the returning soldiers from the Vietnam War had a negative aura that is still shown over 30 years later. The Vietnam War was filled with controversy from the beginning and it has yet to end today. The Vietnam Veterans in America suffered from social, physical, and psychological problems that only complicated their relationship with society and is portrayed statistically and through examples from soldiers since the day they returned from the battlefield. The Vietnam War was an extremely controversial war that took the lives of many Americans and resulted in America’s first losing campaign. The U.S. was involved in Vietnam since World War II supporting Ho Chi Minh and his Communist forces against Japanese occupation. After the result of an incident involving two US vessels, President Lynden Johnson ordered jets to bom... ... middle of paper ... ...amongst the society and the individual soldiers may roam for years to come. Hopefully the next time America is faced with entering war the players come home from the championship game with a win and a remarkable homecoming. Learn more about the Vietnam Veterans and the Vietnam Memorial (1) Lembcke, Jerry. The Spitting Image: Myth, Memory, and the Legacy of Vietnam. New York: 30. (2) Lembcke, 30. (3) Dean, Eric T. Jr. Shook Over Hell: Post-Traumatic Stress, Vietnam, and the Civil. War. Cambridge: 183. (4) Edwards, Adam Charles. Personal Interview. (5) Lembcke, 32. (6) Lembcke, 1. (7) Lembcke, 31. (8) Witteman, Paul A. “Lost in America.” Time, 11 February 1991: 76-77. (9) Witteman, 76. (10) Witteman, 77. (11) Witteman, 76. (12) Witteman, 76. (13) Witteman, 77. (14) Dean, 195. (15) Dean, 196.
In this essay, the author
- Imagines playing in the ncaa national championship game in front of 50,000 people and millions of others watching via their televisions at home. after an intensely fought game the final score indicates that a loss was suffered
- Analyzes how america's relationship with returning soldiers from the vietnam war had a negative aura that is still shown over 30 years later. vietnam veterans in america suffered from social, physical, and psychological problems.
- Describes the vietnam war as an extremely controversial war that took the lives of many americans and resulted in america’s first losing campaign.
- Narrates how a division amongst society quickly became apparent in those against the war and those for or fighting in vietnam.
- Explains that the tally of american lives taken by the war exceeded 50,000 people, and society wondered if the american government was trying to end communism or just to increase economic profits from the vietnamese.
- Explains that anti-war activists voiced their opinions stronger than ever after the troops' retreated from vietnam which made for a negative homecoming.
- Explains that many vietnam veterans returning to america felt shunned by the "new" american society. they are scattered throughout the hills and jungles of hawaii and the pacific northwest.
- Explains that of the 3.5 million veterans in the us, 479,000 cases are serious and another 350,000 have moderate symptoms. suicide amongst vietnam veterans is also apparent.
- Opines that the vietnam war can be reflected on by those in generation-x through hear-say, reading, and movies, but one will never fully understand the true feelings between the veterans and society in america.
Related
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- The Post Movement: Vietnam Warexplanatory essayThe Post Movement: Vietnam War The Vietnam War was a costly and deadly battle that left an emotional and everlasting scar on North/South Korea, France, America, and many other countries as well. This war led to the death of millions while leaving hundreds of thousands of American soldiers wounded. Many historians argue that the Vietnam was a war that America should have not gotten involved in. This was a rising debate as politicians agreed on the sending of America’s military into Vietnam to join forces with France and South Vietnam army to fight in the war.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the vietnam war was a costly and deadly battle that left an emotional and everlasting scar on north/south korea, france, america, and many other countries.
- Explains that ho chi minh led the vietnamese communist party from 1954 until his death in the year of 1969 with the intention of one main goal, gaining independence for vietnam.
- Explains that the movement for independence for vietnam was seen by washington, d.c. policymakers as another communist takeover. however, president truman refused ho chi minh's revolutionary pleas, and instead aided the french with military equipment.
- Explains that many american citizens protested this intervention as many felt that this was not america's war. the united states was still suffering from the death tolls of american soldiers and the expenses of the previous war, but this and many other factors led to many movements between 1950 and 1970.
- Explains that the atomic bomb devastation overshadowed the celebration of the war's ending nine days later.
- Explains that world war ii was the first time people began to recognize the peace movements, focusing mainly on the protest of nuclear warfare.
- Explains that the student for a democratic society (sds) organized peaceful marches to protest against america's intervention with the war in the 1960s.
- Explains that the selective service draft was another controversial debate between members of the peace movement and the united states government.
- Explains that president roosevelt reintroduced the draft to the nation in 1940 as a backup method of manpower in case the volunteer signup option failed.
- Explains that the selective service act accounted for 1, 857, 304 draftees during the vietnam war.
- Explains that the peace movement spread even overseas amongst soldiers, mainly the minorities drafted, as they believed they were fighting a "white's man war". this led to soldiers marking their helmets with peace symbols symbolizing they are advocates of the peace movements.
- Explains that anti-war movements started off as peaceful protest marches, music festivals, and the power of speech. the rapid increase in the reestablishment of the peace movement raised awareness to those prowar democrats who felt as though their country was against their government.
- Explains that despite the peaceful protests, the government gave little response to the movement. the movement quickly changed to civil disobedience and resistance against all authorities.
- Explains that the antiwar peace movement is known as a patriotic movement but contradicts itself for not labeling the koreans and the japanese as people and not enemies.
1515 wordsRead More - How much did America’s generally hostile response to the Vietnam War contribute to the high number of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder victims?
In this essay, the author
- Describes how america’s hostile response to the vietnam war contributed to a high number of post-traumatic stress disorder victims.
- Explains that the personal side of the soldiers who fought in the vietnam war will be examined, including the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) that were most common in veterans, and the different experiences that could have caused them.
- Explains the purpose of wounds of war: the psychological aftermath of combat in vietnam by herbert hendin and ann pollinger haas.
- Analyzes how the book shook over hell was written by eric t. dean jr. and reviewed by james m. mcpherson, a princeton university professor of american history.
- Explains that america's hostile response to the vietnam war or battle experiences of the war contributed the most to high number of post-traumatic stress disorder victims. both combat experiences and post-war experiences left huge psychological marks on veterans.
- Explains that post-traumatic stress disorder is not uncommon for those who have witnessed war. many americans didn't understand that war veterans were going through a sort of anxiety order.
- Explains that the war was everywhere for the veterans. the constant fear of death was a day-to-day event for them.
- Explains that post-traumatic stress disorder is preventable and can be countered if addressed properly. america's hostile response to the vietnam war and lack of sympathy contributed to high numbers of ptsd victims.
- Explains post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) and how one obtains it. the trigger event is usually a traumatic experience witnessed first-hand, or vicariously through loved ones.
1641 wordsRead More - The Vietnam Waropinion essayThe Vietnam War was a significant event in history that has showed Americans’ strengths and weaknesses as well as endurance to get through difficulties. The United States got involved in the Vietnam War to try to put a stop to communism. (Welsh, Douglas. The Vietnam War. Greenwich Ct.: Bison, 1984. Print.) However, this also shows that America is trying to take a stand for our country’s well being as well as other countries. Many opinionated statements have been made about Iraq War Veterans over the years. Some people don’t truly appreciate what they have done for our country. They have truly sacrificed their lives and time to keep us safe. In this expository paper, I will address how Iraq War vets have impacted society today and how they should be appreciated more and treated better by the American society.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the vietnam war showed americans' strengths and weaknesses as well as endurance to get through difficulties.
- Opines that americans need to put their input in helping veterans who served in iraq and afghanistan to prevent the horrors of war.
- Opines that iraq war veterans deserve the respect they have officially earned for protecting our country and making a difference.
- Narrates how trey coleman, a 28-year-old iraq war veteran, spoke about the need for veteran's court in lubbock county.
843 wordsRead More - The Vietnam War was a significant event in United States history. The Vietman experience has highlighted some of Americans’ strengths and weaknesses. The United States became involved in the Vietnam War in an effort to stop the spread of communism. (Welsh, Douglas. The Vietnam War. Greenwich Ct.: Bison, 1984. Print.) However, America was also trying to take a stand for the people of other countries. Like veterans of the Vietnam conflict, Iraq War Veterans have been the subject of various opinionated statements in recent years. Unfortunately, many people don’t truly appreciate what our veterans have done for our country. Many have sacrificed their lives to keep us safe. In this paper, I will address how Iraq War veterans have impacted our society today, and how they should be appreciated more and treated better by American society.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the vietnam war was a significant event in united states history and highlights some of americans' strengths and weaknesses.
- Explains that many veterans who served in iraq and afghanistan resort to alcohol and other "self medications" to mask the horrors of war.
- Opines that it remains to be seen what the longer-term psychological impact of serving in iraq or afghanistan will be, and what social and healthcare services might be required for this small but important group of veterans.
- Opines that our war veterans should be treated well when they return home from war. they have sacrificed themselves for our safety.
- Opines that veterans deserve the respect they have earned for protecting our country and our way of life.
- Analyzes how iraq and other war veterans often don't get treated like they've done anything remotely heroic for our country. veteran trey coleman explains an incident he experienced in lubbock texas.
- Analyzes how a lubbock veteran spoke about the need for veteran's court, stating that it takes soldiers time to adapt to being back to normal and not having to constantly fear for their life
- Opines that the government should help troubled veterans by developing programs to help them get on their feet again.
- Opines that iraq war veterans sacrificed their lives and time to keep us safe. they should be treated better and appreciated more.
976 wordsRead More - Fighting the Vietnam War and Communismanalytical essayPart of this assignment is to describe my impressions of the Vietnam War and its impact on the men who fought it. This is a very difficult task. No matter how many articles and stories I read, I will never truly understand the pain and anguish these men have endured. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it would be to endure 2 months of being tied in the most awkward body-stretching position possible. Sure, like anyone I believe that the U.S. government got into an unwinnable war, but the bureaucrats were in a tough political position and they felt this was essential. No matter the case, it is ridiculous how American citizens displayed open dishonor and disgrace to both fallen and returning soldiers. These men went through the worst imaginable experience and they were slapped in the face and spit in the nose when they returned. They went through those circumstances because the government they were loyal to put them in that position.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the vietnam war dramatically changed the lives of everyone even remotely involved, especially the brave individuals actually fighting amidst the terror.
- Describes their impressions of the vietnam war and its impact on the men who fought it. they can't imagine how hard it would be to endure 2 months of being tied in the most awkward body-stretching position possible.
- Analyzes how rambo misapprehension gives policy makers and washington leaders a thicker chest and the ideology that america is unshakable.
- Analyzes how george herring saw the end of vietnam as a place to move on and something to learn from.
- Opines that america cannot look past torture, tyranny, or poverty, but they must also realize their place. non-communist countries prospered after the vietnam war and the effects of american defeat were less than anticipated.
- Analyzes how the united states ended the war with relief, hope, and a sense of moving on. the self-evaluation found the nation diverged with many arguments explaining where the us went wrong in vietnam.
610 wordsRead More - The Role of Storytelling in The Things They Carriedanalytical essayThe impact of the Vietnam War upon the soldiers who fought there was huge. The experience forever changed how they would think and act for the rest of their lives. One of the main reasons for this was there was little to no understanding by the soldiers as to why they were fighting this war. They felt they were killing innocent people, farmers, poor hard working people, women, and children were among their victims. Many of the returning soldiers could not fall back in to their old life styles. First they felt guilt for surviving many of their brothers in arms. Second they were haunted by the atrocities of war. Some soldiers could not go back to the mental state of peacetime. Then there were soldiers Tim O’Brien meant while in the war that he wrote the book “The Things They Carried,” that showed how important the role of story telling was to soldiers. The role of stories was important because it gave them an outlet and that outlet was needed both inside and outside the war in order to keep their metal state in check.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the impact of the vietnam war on the soldiers who fought there. they felt guilt for surviving many of their brothers in arms, and were haunted by the atrocities of war. tim o'brien wrote the book "the things they carried."
- Analyzes how a soldier's heartbreak was when one of their friends was killed. they could not openly display their emotions because soldiers don't cry, so they created an outlet.
- Analyzes how lavender imagined himself barefoot on a beach in new jersey with martha, whose love for him he knows is entirely imagined, but to him feels real.
- Explains that lavender's death was hard because they knew he would be the first of many that would die too young, just like millions of other men had died during the war.
- Explains how the men in tim o'brien's platoon caught on quickly, expressing their grief without showing it. the death of kiowa was one of those impossible to get over.
- Explains that o'brien and norman bowker needed to tell their story to prove to themselves that they did all they could have done and in no way was kiowa’s death their fault.
- Explains that ptsd doesn't just come from having a near-death experience, but how personalized it is. all therapy comes down to the same idea: confront what happened.
- Opines that norman bowker never truly had someone to talk about the war. he wanted everyone to know what the soldiers went through in vietnam and he wanted to be able to do that through story telling.
- Explains that stories are for joining the past to the future, and for eternity, when memory is erased and there is nothing to remember.
- Analyzes how soldiers used stories to express their emotions to others and deal with their own emotions. the poet-veteran must remember the war and transform it into something worth remembering.
- Opines that rat kiley's facts were formed by sensation, not the other way around. when one listened to one of his stories, one would perform rapid calculations in their head.
- Opines that rat kiley was the one who believed that if he could tell anyone a story, they could learn something from him. he had been in vietnam the longest and wanted the new guys to understand the importance of listening to each other.
- Explains that story telling is a great escapism from all the events of war and allowed them to recount something pleasant from back home. henry dobbins and lieutenant cross stories didn't need to be real to get them through the hard days
- Narrates how the soldier's mind wandered and he would yell at his men to spread out in the column, but then slip away into daydreams, walking barefoot along the jersey shore, with martha, carrying nothing.
- Explains that even though cross didn't have a relationship with martha, it mattered to him and many other soldiers that they could have an escape from the war.
- Explains how o'brien's and his fellow solider, norman bowker, experienced very different transitions going back to peace time.
- Analyzes how the soldier had been there as a real soldier and had done all the things soldiers do. he could not bring himself to be uncommonly brave, and would have talked about the medal he didn't win.
- Narrates how norman created his own escape by speculating on what would happen if someone was listening and incorporating virtual strangers into his stories.
- Explains that they never spoke much about the war, but they had been talking about it virtually nonstop through their writing. telling stories seemed natural, inevitable process, like clearing the throat.
- Analyzes how o'brien began to question why he could only write down his stories instead of recounting them like so many others did.
- Explains that story telling was a life savor for many men trying to survive in and out of the war. however, telling stories to just themselves wasn't always enough for some, especially once they returned home.
- Cites bloom's guide: the things they carried, by robin bly, and martha brant. o'brien, tim.
2570 wordsRead More - The Vietnam Warexplanatory essayThere were many events that lead up the Vietnam War, it started in 1945 with the hostilities between the French and Vietminh. “Geopolitical Strategy, economics, domestic US politics, and cultural arrogance shaped the growing American involvement in Vietnam” (Anderson 1). As a matter of fact, the Vietnam War was several wars, but it was not until 1962 that America had their first combat mission, however, Americans were killed during ambushes by the Vietnamese before the first combat mission. There is much controversy over the reasons for the Vietnam War, supported by the several different books and articles written about the war. “The most famous atrocity occurred in a tiny hamlet called My Lai in March 1968” (Detzer 127). History shows that the reaction of many Americans to the attack by US soldiers on the village of My Lai during the Vietnam War was opposition, and the actions of the US soldiers during the My Lai Massacre will be forever remembered as a significant part of the Vietnam War and American History.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how geopolitical strategy, economics, domestic us politics, and cultural arrogance shaped the growing american involvement in vietnam.
- Explains that calley was drafted into the us army after high school, but he wanted to make it his career. he was under direct order of company commander, captain ernest medina.
- Explains that ronald haeberie, a photographer for the us army, stood by taking photos of the atrocities that took place that day.
- Explains that although the exact number of casualties is unknown, it is a known fact that it was no less than one hundred and seventy five people.
- Explains that the target of the attack was the forty-eighth viet cong battalion, but there were no men in the village except the elderly.
- Explains that the stories of the my lai massacre first surfaced in november 1969, confirming the atrocious crimes that took place there.
- Describes how lieutenant william calley, commander of the first platoon at my lai, was charged with one-hundred and nine murders in september of 1969, and sentenced to life in prison with hard labor.
- Explains that the charges were that an american line company had swept through this village and that there were a great, great number of inhabitants who were murdered or massacred or killed, whatever, without provocation.
- Explains that the investigation of the massacre cover up was known as "the peers inquiry", which suggested that twenty-eight officers and two non-commissioned officers suspected of involvement in the cover-up be charged, but all charges were dismissed and the accused officers were found not guilty
- Opines that the my lai massacre is a significant part of american history. it is remembered by most as the us army's most brutal attack on the unarmed, non-combative and innocent villagers.
1443 wordsRead More - History Of The Vietnam Waranalytical essayThe Vietnam War (1954-1975) was, and continues to be, a contentious issue around the world. Many analysts of the war attribute it to Lyndon B. Johnson, who was president of America from 1963 until 1969, because under his administration, the American Army became involved in combat in Vietnam. Although there were many facets that lead Johnson to make his decision and there were three other presidents, in power during the course of America’s involvement in Vietnam, who also played key roles, it was Johnson who made the decision to escalate US intervention in Vietnam.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that many analysts attribute the vietnam war to lyndon b. johnson, who was president of america from 1963 until 1969, because the american army became involved in combat in vietnam.
- Explains that the vietnam war was the second of the two indochina wars, where the first was fought and lost by france.
- Explains that american exceptionalism is the theory that america is a unique and superior nation, and has the obligation to promote and extend american ideals around the world.
- Explains that johnson launched a sustained bombing campaign against the drv after the tonkin gulf incident, which won him an overwhelming victory against barry goldwater in the elections.
- Explains that the us secretary of defense proposed an increase of us troops to 175 000 by mid-1965, but the communist leaders decided to win a quick victory.
- Explains that the tet offensive was a military disaster for the viet cong, but it was still 'political and psychological defeat' for america.
- Argues that the failure of the us in vietnam stems from johnson's cautious approach to military campaigns because of his logical fears of chinese or soviet involvement or an uncontrollable conflict.
- Analyzes how johnson and nixon failed to factor in vietnam's bitter history of opposition to chinese domination and the growing rift in sino-soviet relations.
- Explains that the vietnam war was a difficult experience for the us military as well as its foreign policy. johnson's decision to go to war was made from hard thought-out reasoning but he did not factor in the environment in vietnam or the opinion of the american public.
1977 wordsRead More - American Wars Abroadopinion essayThe U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War spanned from 1964-1975, and is an example of U.S. foreign involvement drawn out to an unnecessary extent. Throughout The War there were many decisions that the American citizens, and eventually the South Vietnamese, began to resent. Much of the Vietnam controversy could have been avoided if America had acted in a quick manner. America’s involvement in the Vietnam War lasted a total of eleven years from beginning to end making it, “the longest war in which the United States took part in” (Vietnam War). America went into the war to protect South Vietnam from the North Vietnamese Communists. The U.S. entered the war because of the Truman Doctrine, “Truman had declared that the United States must help any nation challenged by Communism” (Vietnam War). The Domino Theory, the idea that if one country fell to Com...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the lesson of not prolonging foreign involvement can and should be used today in dealing with the war in iraq.
- Analyzes how the u.s. involvement in the vietnam war spanned from 1964-1975, and was drawn out to an unnecessary extent.
- Explains that the nuclear arms race between the united states and the soviet union is another example of america prolonging foreign involvement unnecessarily.
- Explains that the start treaty was signed with the intention of eliminating fifty percent of the nuclear weapons that each country held.
- Compares the cuban missile crisis to the vietnam war and nuclear arms race.
- Explains that the lesson that america should not prolong foreign involvement should be acknowledged with the war in iraq.
- Opines that the cuban missile crisis illustrates the benefits of acting in an expedited and decisive manner to succeed in a short period of time.
1552 wordsRead More - The Vietnam War: A Concise International History is a strong book that portrays a vivid picture of both sides of the war. By getting access to new information and using valid sources, Lawrence’s study deserves credibility. After reading this book, a new light and understanding of the Vietnam war exists.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mark atwood lawrence's the vietnam war: a concise international history shows an international affair involving many nations and how the conflict progressed throughout its rather large existence.
- Analyzes how lawrence's purpose in writing this book was concise and to the point. it places the war within the long flow of vietnamese history and captures the goals and experiences of various governments.
- Analyzes how mark atwood lawrence uses primary sources to enhance the credibility of his study and the overall experience of the vietnam war: a concise international history.
- Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of lawrence's book, the vietnam war: a concise international history.
1155 wordsRead More