Why Did The Anti-War Movement Influence The Policy Towards Indochina?

The anti-war movement didn’t play a large role in the direct change of US policy towards Indochina, however it was able to restrict the escalation of the war and limit the military options up until 1973. The antiwar movement, played a minimal role in direct change of policy due to the fact that it was often disregarded by politicians such as the president, in terms of military decisions. The Antiwar-movement wasn’t too influential due to the fact that there were much larger factors in play such as loss of human life, and drain on the economy, in which was comparatively more significant in the decision making process of the US. However, the antiwar movement did play a part in the influence of the American public, which allowed for the restriction
Issues such as Lack of reason for fighting, Financial drain, and the failure of the war caused a far greater shift in American policy makers opinions, hence deeming the movement insignificant.. American Policy makers eventually came to the realisation that it was a war not worth fighting, a conclusion derived mainly from factors other than the anti-war movement. The Economic drain on which it had on the American government was a Factor in which outshined the Anti-war movement. Over the course of the war, the American Government spent $173 billion dollars, not including the depletion of the workforce. This, when paired with the unsuccessful nature of the war and lack of reasoning, were the main reasons for the eventual withdrawal from Indochina. American politicians, began to acknowledge the fact that the war was one not worth fighting, regardless of the anti-war movement. Due to its comparative insignificance, the American anti-war movement, played a minor role in the influence of US Policy towards
It is believed that the Antiwar movement, by being vocal, was able to gain the support of the majority of the American Public throughout the war. However, a poll taken in 1969, showed that 77% of the American Public, supported Nixon’s Vietnamization policy towards Indochina. This shows us that the antiwar mov¬¬¬ement, didn’t make up the majority of Americans, nor did it effectively influence the public opinion. Furthermore, the mainstream American public believed that the antiwar movement were, unpatriotic, un-American radicals, showing that once again the antiwar movement, was looked down upon and not generally supported by the American Public. Additionally, The idea that the beliefs of the Antiwar movement weren’t shared throughout the American public was reinforced with President Nixon’s, re-election in 1972. Nixon won with 60.7% of the vote, again showing that the anti-war movement lacked the necessary support from the majority of the public. The Anti-war movement, failed to gain to gain the support of the American public, and consequently was unable to successfully influence the American Policy