Is there sufficient evidence in Sources A to F to explain why there was an anti-war movement in the United States?
Yahya Nakhuda 9064 631 words
Is there sufficient evidence in Sources A to F to explain why there was an anti-war movement in the United States?
In the early sixties the public opinion was favourable towards USA's involvement in the war. From 64-65 a poll showed that 80 percent of the population agreed with Johnson and were for the war. At first, most Americans supported the war as the Domino theory was very popular and so people were prepared to let Johnson stop it at nearly any cost.
Source A is a secondary Source from Four Hours in My Lai by Michael Bilton published in 1992. The Source says the army were willing to recruit less able soldiers and says that recruits were less intelligent. Heavy casualties took place because of the inexperience of soldiers. As they began gaining experience they were sent home there were no experienced comrades and explains the “rookie army”. In 1967 Johnson had introduced the Conscription Act. The Act for a period excluded people between the age of 18 and 21 and people who went to college. As this largely applied to the middle and upper class white section of society, this was seen as a deliberate act to fill the army with the lower classes and black people. This Source does not support war therefore it could generate anti-war feelings.