In conclusion, I do think this source is an accurate interpretation of the problems faced by American soldiers in Vietnam only to the extent that it supports my knowledge that the soldiers that took part in the war were very young. However, this source does not give enough information about other problems faced by the soldiers in Vietnam such as their unpopularity with the Vietnamese people.
Question 2-
Sources B to F are all useful in some way for explaining why there was an anti-war movement in the United States during the 1960’s and early 1970’s.
Source B is a photograph of a girl that was deformed by a substance used by the Americans – ‘Napalm’. This photograph was published during the Vietnam war and was probably taken by a journalist that did not agree with what the Americans were doing to the Vietnamese. This source may have been taken to show the world the Vietnamese suffering caused by the USA. This source is reliable as it confirms my knowledge that there was a lot of inhumane treatment by the Americans. However, this source does not show the inhumane treatment of American soldiers by the Veitcong. So therefore, source is useful for showing the media coverage of the war as it is a photograph that was published at the time and also the inhumane treatment by the Americans could be the reasons why there was an anti-war movement in the USA.
Source C states how so many Americans died during the war in Vietnam and that the men were very close as they knew one anothers families which could suggest that they were from the same town or village. This source is by Rifleman Frank McCarthy, an eye witness who recorded his memories that were published in 1982. It is written in quite a bitter way and expresses anger at the Vietcong. It was probably written to tell people his side of what happened in Vietnam. This source is reliable as it confirms my knowledge that there was a high casualty rate and that China and Russia helped the Vietcong by supplying them with weapons. However, this source does not mention the casualty rate amongst the Vietnamese people so it is useful for showing that the high casaulty rate of American troops was the reason why there was an anti-war movement in the USA.
Source D critises the USA and Vietcong tactics. It states that it was hard for the USA to find the guerillas. It is written by an American journalist, Richard Hamer in 1970 and it is written in a way that is ashamed and embarassed about the US involvement in the Vietnam war. This source may have been witten to justify why there was such widespread opposition to the American presence in Vietnam. This source is reliable as it confirms what I know that the USA were using inhumane tactics and also as it is written by an American journalist it has nothig to gain by lieing. However, it does not tell us that Americans actually killed whole villages e.g. My Lai. This source is useful for showing the media coverage of the war as it was probably written for a newspaper or magazine and it is also useful for showing the inhumane treatment of the Vietcong suspects could be the reason why there was an anit-war movement in America.
Source E is a cartoon showing the high cost of the Vietnam war with the train representing the US economy and the wood being burned is the money for Johnson’s Great Society going to Vietnam. This cartoon was published in a British magazine in 1967. It may have been drawn to show the effects of President Johnson’s war policy on the ‘Great Society’ and the high cost of the war for the USA. This source is reliable as it confirms my knowledge that the Vietnam war cost America a great deal of money – about $3 million an hour. However, it does not show why the Americans were prepared to pay such a high price and that Johnson made a deal with congressmen over the escalation of the war. Therefore, this source is useful to show that the cost of the Vietnam war, especially through the eyes of the media, was the reason why there was an anti-war movement in the USA.
Source F states that colour television is the reason why people are against the war as once people see the reality of war, they don’t like it - however just the war may be. This source is a statement made by a BBC commentator Robin Day in 1970. It is written in a very emotional way and it may have been written to give a reason to which why so many people are against the Vietnam war. This source confirms my knowledge that many people were against the Vietnam war and were ashamed at what the American troops were doing. However, it does not tell us any other reasons why people were against the war other than colour television. So, it is useful to show the media coverage of the Vietnam war especially the role of television in turning public opinion against the war could have been the reason for the anti-war movement in the USA.
After looking at all the evidence I think that sources B and D are the most useful to show that the main reason why there was an anti-war movement in the 1960’s and early 1970’s was the inhumane treatment and tactics used by the Americans against the Vietnamese people. This confirms my OHK because I know that many inoccent Vietnamese people lost their lives and were deformed because of chemicals such as ‘Agent orange’ and ‘Napalm’ used to destroy their land and livelihood. It was because of such images that many people in the West were angered and ashamed that ordinary, innocent people payed the price of this war which therefore led to anti-war movements, not just in America. but her allies as well.
Bibliography:
- History notes and sheets
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- history section