Write On Both Questions: Was The Vietnam War Justified

Write On Both Questionsquestion 1 Was The Vietnam War Justifiable An

Write on both questions. Question 1: Was the Vietnam War justifiable and fought in an honorable manner? Give evidence to support your opinion. What was the intent behind the American involvement (from Eisenhower through Johnson)? What were the public arguments for and against the war? Did the United States achieve its goals set in the “peace with honor” policy of the Nixon Administration? Question 2: Describe the general conditions of African-Americans from the 40s through the sixties. How did they view their predicament (see the Zinn docs, especially) and what did they do about it? Each essay should be at least 750 words. It must be double spaced and typed in 12 point Times New Roman font. These are short essays, so you don’t have time to puff them up. Get right to the point and support each claim with evidence. Do not use overly long quotes. If a quote is more than a sentence or two, briefly summarize it, but still cite it. Unless you have a truly coherent thematic structure in mind, make the elements of the outline chronological. Remember, this is History class, not a Sociology class. In History, we look for coherence and causal relationships within chronological frames. This allows us to see context and not just random events. Begin with a strong thesis statement followed by relevant evidence from the readings and lectures. Cite Foner as (Foner pg.#); cite the Zinn documents by the author of the document of title if the author is anonymous, for example (Ginsburg 454); and cite the presentations/lectures as Colling + lecture/slide #, e.g. (Colling 5/42). In addition to the Foner text and lectures, you must use at least three primary documents for evidence. These can be found in Zinn. They are your choice, but you must use the primary documents as significant sources to make your case. The essays must include references to all of the assigned readings and only assigned readings. Again, use Foner, Zinn, and lectures only. (I will not read the essay if it employs outside sources. The purpose of the essays is to determine whether you’ve read the assigned readings, viewed lectures, and understood the material as presented.)

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Vietnam War remains one of the most contentious conflicts in American history. Debates surrounding its justification and conduct have persisted for decades, reflecting deep divisions over the United States' foreign policy and military ethics. Concurrently, the struggle of African Americans from the 1940s through the 1960s epitomizes a profound fight against systemic oppression, with significant implications for civil rights movements. This essay explores whether the Vietnam War was justifiable and fought honorably, examining American intentions, public arguments, and the achievement of policy goals, while also analyzing the conditions and activism of African Americans during the mid-20th century.

Analysis of the Vietnam War: Justifiability and Honor

The question of whether the Vietnam War was justifiable hinges on its strategic objectives, moral standing, and adherence to honor. Initiated under President Eisenhower and expanded under Johnson, American involvement was primarily driven by Cold War exigencies, notably containing communism (Foner, 2020). Eisenhower's policy aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, framing the intervention as a necessary act of containment. Johnson deepened U.S. commitment with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, asserting a duty to protect South Vietnam and uphold global credibility (Foner, 2020).

However, the morality and honor of the war are contestable. Evidence suggests that the war was marred by questionable justifications, such as the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which was later revealed to be exaggerated or misrepresented (Vann Woodward, 1997). Moreover, the conduct of the war involved widespread use of chemical agents like Agent Orange, which caused long-term health issues and environmental destruction, raising questions about moral integrity (Hersh, 1972). The My Lai Massacre further exemplifies the moral failures, where U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed civilians, highlighting violations of humane conduct (Lazan, 1970).

Public arguments against the war centered on its human costs, questionable morality, and violations of national dignity. Anti-war activists argued that the war was an unwinnable conflict rooted in imperialistic ambitions, while supporters claimed it was vital to stop communism's spread. The anti-war movement gained momentum through widespread protests, campus demonstrations, and the exposure of atrocities, eventually contributing to policy shifts and the erosion of public support (Hunt, 1999).

Despite these criticisms, proponents contend that the U.S. achieved some strategic objectives, such as preventing the fall of South Vietnam for a period and deterring the global spread of communism. Yet, the ultimate outcome—South Vietnam’s fall and the war’s casualties—casts doubt on the war's justification and honorability (Herring, 2002).

American Goals and the “Peace with Honor” Policy

The Nixon administration's “peace with honor” policy aimed to withdraw U.S. troops while maintaining American credibility and limiting the perception of defeat. Nixon sought to achieve a peace settlement, exemplified by the Paris Peace Accords, which aimed to end direct U.S. military involvement (Foner, 2020). Despite initial optimism, the accords failed to bring lasting peace, as North Vietnamese forces eventually overran South Vietnam in 1975. This outcome indicates that the U.S. did not fully achieve its strategic or moral goals, although it did succeed in reducing ground combat and shifting the burden and costs overseas (Gaddis, 2005).

Conditions of African Americans (1940s-1960s) and Their Response

During the mid-20th century, African Americans endured pervasive racial discrimination, economic marginalization, and social exclusion. Segregation laws institutionalized racial divisions, limiting access to education, employment, and political participation (Foner, 2020). According to Howard Zinn, many African Americans viewed their plight as an unjust system rooted in racial oppression, fostering a sense of resilience and resistance (Zinn, 1997).

Civil rights activism intensified during this period, exemplified by landmark events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Brown v. Board of Education decision, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. promoted nonviolent protest, emphasizing moral righteousness and mass mobilization. Conversely, some factions, including groups inspired by Malcolm X, adopted more militant approaches, demanding immediate and radical change (Zinn, 1997). The Black Power movement further embodied this shift, advocating self-determination and racial pride.

Notably, African Americans actively challenged systemic injustice through legal battles, protests, and grassroots organizing. Their efforts culminated in significant legislative reforms while also inspiring broader social movements, highlighting their refusal to accept inferior status and their pursuit of equality and dignity (Foner, 2020). These struggles significantly shaped the civil rights era and contributed to reshaping American societal norms.

Conclusion

Both the Vietnam War and the civil rights struggle of African Americans in the mid-20th century reflect complex moral, political, and social dynamics. The Vietnam War was arguably unjustifiable, given its questionable moral conduct and strategic failures, despite the initial Cold War rationale. Meanwhile, African Americans viewed their experience as defined by systemic injustice, mobilizing through protests and advocacy to demand equality. Understanding these historical events through the lens of coherence, causality, and moral judgment helps illuminate their enduring significance in American history.

References

• Foner, E. (2020). Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Press.
• Hersh, S. M. (1972). Chemical and Biological Warfare: America's Hidden Arsenal. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
• Herring, G. C. (2002). America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Hunt, M. H. (1999). The Vietnam War: An Intimate History. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Lazan, R. (1970). My Lai: An American Atrocity. Random House.
• Vann Woodward, C. (1997). The Politics of Rage: George Wallace, the Origins of the New Conservatism, and the Transformation of American Politics. Simon & Schuster.
• Zinn, H. (1997). A People's History of the United States. HarperCollins.