DBQ Vietnam War APUSH
Throughout America’s history, few things have left the nation in such controversial turmoil as the Vietnam War. With an American death toll of almost 60,000 troops, the Vietnam War has gone down in infamy as one of the most tremendous struggles Americans have faced both overseas and on the home front. Because of the tumultuous controversies caused by the war, Americans split into two social factions – those against the war and those who supported it. During the years of 1961-1975 - the era in which the war had its greatest effect on Americans - the population of citizens from 18-35 years old and the Presidency were both affected irreversibly.
The beginning of the Vietnam War can be credited to President Johnson’s predecessors – Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. Their involvement with the conflicts in Vietnam and their sending of military advisors fueled the issues overseas which would eventually force President Johnson to become involved in military engagement upon his election. Johnson, who claimed to have preferred fighting the ‘war on poverty’ than the Vietnam War, was haphazardly thrown into the pre-existing issue. Because his re-election greatly depended on his involvement overseas as well as the outcome of the war, Johnson did not take his position as Commander in Chief lightly. However, Johnson didn’t want to focus solely on the war efforts; he began to implement certain social programs and acts that would help to build something called “The Great Society”. Johnson’s vision of a perfect society aroused the American people into believing in a brighter and more equal future. The implement of education, establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, VISTA, and Head Start were just a few of many social changes Johnson and his administration planed in order to change the United States. Failure to enact these programs as well as an almost inevitable failure in Vietnam would eventually cost Johnson his re-election. The next man to fill the seemly cursed job
The beginning of the Vietnam War can be credited to President Johnson’s predecessors – Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. Their involvement with the conflicts in Vietnam and their sending of military advisors fueled the issues overseas which would eventually force President Johnson to become involved in military engagement upon his election. Johnson, who claimed to have preferred fighting the ‘war on poverty’ than the Vietnam War, was haphazardly thrown into the pre-existing issue. Because his re-election greatly depended on his involvement overseas as well as the outcome of the war, Johnson did not take his position as Commander in Chief lightly. However, Johnson didn’t want to focus solely on the war efforts; he began to implement certain social programs and acts that would help to build something called “The Great Society”. Johnson’s vision of a perfect society aroused the American people into believing in a brighter and more equal future. The implement of education, establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, VISTA, and Head Start were just a few of many social changes Johnson and his administration planed in order to change the United States. Failure to enact these programs as well as an almost inevitable failure in Vietnam would eventually cost Johnson his re-election. The next man to fill the seemly cursed job