The Nadir Of The American Century The Vietnam Disaster

The Nadir of the American Century: The Vietnam Disaster The Vietnam War commenced during a time of great social and political unrest in America. It came during the middle of the Cold War, a fierce worldwide battle between Eastern communism and Western democracy. There was already division going on in America at the time, with events like the â€Å"Red Scare† in Washington creating a growing fear of worldwide communism. The U.S. involvement in Vietnam began with Harry Truman aiding the French in an imperial war from 1946-1954, which the French eventually lost to the Vietminh. This loss began the controversy surrounding Vietnam. The U.S. once again entered Vietnam in 1965, this time involved in a civil war between the democratic South and the communist North. What ensued was one of the most controversial wars in American history, which had a lasting impact that is still felt today. The Vietnam War created many tensions across the United States. On the social side, there was racial tension due to the segregation in America at the time. There was class tension that was shown through the biased draft process. Generational tension existed as well, as the youth of the nation were in a battle with the older generations over the purpose of the war itself. In terms of political tensions, the war created a severe credibility gap between the government and the people. The war was also viewed as a threat to constitutional democracy. Lastly, the war lacked justification in the minds of manyShow MoreRelatedThe Historical Progression of African Americans4523 Words   |  19 PagesAfrican Americans Jeff Brown HIS 204: American History Since 1865 Prof Carl Garrigus May 16, 2010 The Historical Progression of African Americans America in 1857 was a â€Å"Nation on the Brink.† Relationships between the Northern and Southern states had been strained for decades. During the 1850 s, the situation exploded. The Compromise of 1850 served as a clear warning that the slavery issue—relatively dormant since the Missouri Compromise of 1820—had returned. African Americans existenceRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesand Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis: The Evolution of an American Urban Landscape Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform