Explain Why There Were Such Different Essay Example

their state, being sent to Vietnam. The casualties primarily affected individuals aged nineteen and twenty, individuals whom the nation still regarded as children.

The personal emotions of many individuals who knew the deceased underwent a change, primarily due to the injustice of young lives being taken. The exposure of the real face of war through uncensored television coverage played a major role in shaping this shift towards an anti-war attitude. As a result, people's views on the war were greatly impacted. A survey conducted by Newsweek in 1967 indicated that 64% of respondents believed that watching television coverage influenced their support for Vietnam soldiers.

Despite 24% of individuals remaining against the war, there was no notable majority in favor of it following their exposure to the brutalities of war on television. The Tet Offensive of 1960 inundated viewers with nightly visuals depicting deceased, injured, and dying American soldiers, alongside innocent Vietnamese civilians entangled in combat. As a result, public sentiment leaned towards the belief that the war was being lost.

LBJ's failure to achieve the planned quick kill resulted in a decline in his approval rating from 48% to 36%. The people witnessed the fading of LBJ's dream to build a "Great Society" as more and more funds were allocated to defense spending. Numerous civil rights leaders believed that the money spent on Vietnam could be better utilized in addressing more pressing issues, such as improving the welfare system. Additionally, Americans gained a personal understanding of the war through letters sent by their loved ones serving in Vietnam.

The letters and uncensored television coverage offered an unfiltered portrayal of the true story, reflecting the distressing experiences in Vietnam. This

was accompanied by a rise in anti-war pop songs, creating various mediums that prompted contemplation among Americans and shaped their views on the war. Consequently, protests emerged mainly led by students, black individuals, and well-known "Lefties," yet they were frequently discredited as Communists or unpatriotic. In March 1965, Mrs. Alice Hertz made the ultimate sacrifice to protest against the war.

In Detroit, Michigan, a woman self-immolated, igniting a wave of demonstrations in key urban areas. This ultimately led to a massive rally at the Pentagon in 1967. While progress was initially limited, significant backing and visibility emerged during Spring 1968. The American Establishment, encompassing lawyers, bankers, university presidents, and corporate executives, initiated an act of defiance. They recognized that the Vietnam War's societal and economic burdens surpassed its worth.

Due to the death toll of 300 Americans per week and the annual cost of $30 billion, opposition to the war increased. In December 1967, Senator Eugene McCarthy declared his candidacy as an anti-war candidate for the Democratic Party nomination. The Tet Offensive in January 1968 demonstrated that despite the US military's extensive efforts, their endeavors had failed, thus intensifying opposition.

President Lyndon B. Johnson declared in March that he would not run for another term, while the youth in 1968 also voiced their opinions. Students from Europe and the United States rallied against the war, with a prominent protest occurring at Kent State University in Ohio.

During a protest against the invasion of Cambodia, guardsmen fatally shot four students. This incident provoked a stronger reaction than the deaths of many soldiers and deeply shocked the nation, clearly signaling a change in public opinion towards the war. As always, the

Vietnam conflict generated various perspectives.

As the war continued, the overall sentiment among the majority shifted. Although 85% initially believed the war to be just, it is important to acknowledge that 15% disagreed. As the war prolonged, casualties increased and financial resources poured in while protests multiplied, the dissenting percentage grew. While some individuals experienced a more personal connection to the war, those who did not tended to support it.