Why did many Americans oppose US involvement in the Vietnam War Essay Sample

General William C. Westmoreland believed a different approach was necessary.

It may be necessary for the United States to send an additional 200,000 soldiers and call up militias, which no President would want to do, to the South Pacific. The New York Times published a petition for more military personnel one day prior to this decision being made.

President Johnson was disappointed by the outcome of the United States Democratic Party New Hampshire Primary, where he lost to Senator Eugene McCarthy, an anti-war campaigner. Robert F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the presidential term shortly after.

The Vietnam War caused division and turmoil within the Democratic party, as evidenced by the three candidates running for the nomination. One of these candidates emphasized President Johnson's failure to step down following the Tet offensive.

The American people, including those in favor of the war, began to realize that the government's plan was questionable. The political turmoil within the country not only confused people, but also helped the Viet Cong to become stronger. The Tet Offensive exposed the American resistance that arose from awareness of ineffective political and military strategies, causing a further divide between the public and the government.

Domestic division and crime occur more frequently than those abroad, especially in a democratic society. If the public is not given access to truthful and precise information and a perspective on the war they are involved in, they cannot support the government they are intended to serve.

The My Lai Massacre dealt another devastating blow to American morale and led to increased resistance to the Vietnam War. It occurred on March 16 when a unit of the U.S. army

division carried out the atrocity.

During combat operations in the supposed Viet Cong stronghold of My Lai (or Son My), Lieutenant William L. Calley led a group that invaded the South Vietnamese crossroads and killed approximately 350 unarmed civilians, including women and children.

During the following year, the public was made aware of a shocking incident in which individuals were subjected to rape, torture, and a reduction of rights. This event sparked questions among the populace regarding the role of the United States in Vietnam, including whether they are a friend or foe.

In addition to the impact on the mental state of American military personnel, the My Lai massacre also contributed to opposition against the war due to the global reaction to the atrocity. Despite the US troops' purported intention to promote democracy in Vietnam, a war crime blatantly contradicted this objective and led to an increase in conscientious objectors enlisting.

Additional cases of maltreatment by soldiers were reported, leading to a worsening public perception of Vietnam veterans and a division between them and those who were supposed to be their supporters. As a result, more soldiers experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.

Substance abuse and homelessness were prevalent among military personnel, particularly college-educated individuals, highlighting a need for stronger leadership. Unfortunately, potential officers capable of addressing these issues were overlooked due to recruitment challenges. In 1968, the unsuccessful Paris Peace negotiations that began in May were also a significant event.

According to PBS, after only eight months into his presidency, Johnson had handed over power to Nixon during the talks. The parties involved had only agreed on the conference table arrangement. The US insisted on removing northern

troops from South Vietnam, while the Viet Cong rejected a temporary government in South Vietnam with Nguyen Van Thieu included.

Until the summer of 1972, progress was minimal. The Viet Cong demanded the complete withdrawal of US troops and bombing, while Nixon had other foreign policy goals to pursue. Therefore, the Paris Peace talks did little to end the war.

At the signing of the peace agreement, Kissinger explained that the decision was made believing that opponents of the Vietnam War would be content with the United States' decision to withdraw, while those in favor of ending the conflict would be happy that an ally was not destroyed.

Several significant events caused increasing concern for the authorities and disdain for the war. These events include President Johnson’s withdrawal from elections in March, the police brutality that occurred during antiwar protests at the Democratic national Convention in Chicago in August, the $2000 million monthly cost of the war, and the lack of financial support for Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” plan. Additionally, the use of chemical warfare added to the growing number of concerns.

The resistance against the Vietnam War was fueled by various factors, such as the utilization of Agent Orange, pesticides, and napalm, as well as the indiscriminate killing during Search and Destroy missions. Additionally, authorities' belief that Asian life held less value contributed to the opposition. The war's absurd goal of suppressing Vietnamese patriotism led many Americans to view it as a waste of resources, lives, and focus. Ultimately, they deemed it immoral and unjustifiable.

However, the war in Vietnam was not only missing motivation, but also lacked foresight in house and a competent government that could unite the

front in order to win it. Reference: "Timeline: Vietnam on the Battlefield and the Home Front." PBS.

22 Sept. 2005. 24 Feb. 2006.

The third edition of E. D. Hirsch Jr.'s New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy includes information on the Vietnam War.

Joseph F. Kett and James Trefil.

“The Vietnam War” is an article published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 2002. It is included in “The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia” and all rights to it are reserved by Houghton Mifflin.

All rights to the Sixth Edition, which was copyrighted in 2003, are reserved by Columbia University Press, from whom it has been licensed.

The website World Wide Web.milliliter.Columbia.edu/cu/cup/Phillips features a discussion by Steve Phillips on the topic of the Cold War that was presented at Columbia University's CU Cup.

The United Kingdom publication of "1st Erectile Dysfunction" by Heinemann is contained within pages 94-101 of the book, which was released in 2001.