Medias Role In The Vietnam War example essay topic

The discussion of the Vietnam War and its affect on Americans. In this regard, the opinions and experiences of those who fought in the war, as well as those who stayed at home were taken into account. In addition, the purposes of the war outlined, and the wars effect on the indigenous people was assessed. The Vietnam War officially began for the United States with the Presidents order to send troops into Vietnam, although there was no official declaration of war (As was his right as stated in the Constitution of the United States). According to politicians, the reason the U.S. had to become involved was because this war to be a war on Communism. In afterthought, what was the possibility that North Vietnam or any other Communist country would actually invade America The logic at the time was that if the Communists were not stopped in Vietnam, they would then invade the shores of the U.S.!

In reality, the Vietnam War was a war that was fought for no real purpose. The Vietnam War was unique in that it was the first war in which the media played a significant role. During the war, television and radio news programs both aired scenes from the front. Americans were able to see, firsthand, the death and destruction being carried on in Vietnam. The medias depiction of the war was not glorified in any way.

On the contrary, many Americans were given the opportunity to witness the true horrors of war. More importantly, Americans at home were able to see who their boys on the front were truly fighting. Sadly, these ruthless enemies were often young children and innocent bystanders, not yellow monsters bent on world domination. The medias role in the Vietnam War helped to play a large part in the development of various groups who vehemently opposed the war. The Resistance groups were band of individuals who truly felt that there was no purpose to the Vietnam War and that Americans should not be there. These groups consisted mainly of young men who showed their opposition to the war by holding rallies and protests, and by refusing to be drafted.

These groups were made up of individuals form a myriad assortment of races and ethnicity's. In a sense, the war helped quell the strife, which existed between the races, at least for a short while. People of all colors and creed joined together in a common goal, that being the opposition of the war. Just as the media helped the American people at home by fueling their impassioned resistance, it proved to be detrimental those fighting the war for the United States, and forever changed the image of the American soldier. Gone for many was the proud young man waving Old Glory as he marched valiantly into battle against any threat to the American way; to be replaced by a viscous murderer of innocent women and children. Many soldiers, upon returning from Vietnam, were forced to face abuse and assault from the American people.

Instead of being welcomed home with open arms and ticker tape parades, they were greeted with a hail of profanity and a shower of spit. These were those veterans that came home and simply signed up for another duty, just to escape from the land they once called home. Yet there were also many that stayed to oppose the war alongside those in the resistance. At the same time, they also pleaded for forgiveness with the American people. Dont condemn us. Remember those that died.

Throughout all this, the purpose of the Vietnam War became lost in the controversy. Yet, when is there really any true purpose for war.