consider:

What is the message of this song? What would lead someone to write a song like this?

consider:

WWII: Vietnam:

How are the media’s images of WWII different than the images of 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

United States vs. Vietcongsides:

United Statesmethod of fighting

lots of bombing, napalm, and Agent Orange to destroy forests

A famous photo following a bombing.

This shows a birth defect caused by Agent Orange. Many grew sick from the chemicals used in Vietnam.

method of fighting

Vietcongguerilla warfare using tunnel systems

this leads

to

sides:

liberal doves vs. conservative hawks

stalemate in Vietnam and the following divide in the United States:

what they wanted:

liberal dovesto leave Vietnam

conservative hawksto end communism in

Vietnam

events used to promote their ideas

liberal doves1968 Tet Offensive shows that Vietcong is still strong despite U.S. government saying war is “almost won”

&

events used to promote their ideas

liberal doves1968 My Lai Massacre of civilians by U.S. soldiers, attempted cover-up fails

events used to promote their ideas

conservative hawks1968 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 hawks1968 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.

1. The Fall of Saigon: North Vietnam takes over the South to create the communist nation of Vietnam in ‘75.

This entire Vietnam “War”experience leads to

&

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.

Support our

troops.

Peace now, man.

Ballad of the Green Berets

The Times, They are a-Changin’

Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You into Heaven Anymore

Fortunate Son

Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation

I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag