what was the U.S. government/politics like during the Vietnam war?

Question

The United states government from 1946 through 1975. I've looked all over the internet and all I get is crap I have no use for.

Answer 1

You have to accept the crap because that is what was fed to the public. Until, that is the Vietnam Conflict came into view and aroused a sleeping public. There is so much written and available on the period 1969 - 75 that it is overwhelming. What is important is the period of Watergate circa 1975 when the hearings were televised and chairman Sam ______, forget his name, a "country lawyer" led a show of incredible suspense and high drama intersperced with high comedy. The testimony of John Dean, white house counsel, was riviting, but then they all were. That period leading up to Nixon's resignation had been relatively open to journalists. After that, presidents HAD to be very careful of what was said and in whose company it was being said. Today we have a pretty secret White House and it all is a product of the open season the press and public had on Nixon. Nixon, one of the great presidents in so many ways, was, indeed a "crook," he was also probably alcoholic and very possibly paranoid and at times psychotic. Such an interesting study. Presidents have been pretty bland since that and very secretive. Bill Clinton, a fascinating person, did not learn the lesson of Nixon. You don't do or order anything in the Oval Office.
If you really want to know about the government and politics, you don't go to the internet. You ask a research librarian to recommend some of the great books written. The internet, thank god, has its limitations. Nothing replaces reading a great book and becoming one with the words and images.

Answer 2

What exactly are you looking for? US Government was similar to today. We were getting more and more involved in the affairs of other nations and peoples and less and less worried about American problems (a trend still evident today). We got involved in the Korean War which is usually not covered well in history. We stuck our nose into Vietnam after France left because they saw how hopeless the situation was. During Vietnam the US Government had to face its own racist attitudes and some of America's problems. The Civil Rights movement was in full swing and American's were looking for answers. Corruption was running amok in government then too.

So not much has really changed in 50 years...

Answer 3

In retrospect, it was very much like it is today. Very few answers and a whole lot of questions. However, I can assure you of one thing, the media is much more brasin in their interviews than in the mid 50's to late 60's. Hope this helps amigo. Look up information on microfiche from local library (Newspaper articles). All of your computer information is going to be tainted by what the media wants released. Already printed newspaper articles cannot be changed. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Same smoke and mirrors, always have been. Far from the issues at hand while the terrible costs effects its citizens directly. Most important is to watch the response of the citizens as they continue try to justify this insanity, yep the same ole song just different people singing along.

Answer 5

It didn't really gain steam until the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, then it went to pieces.

The 1968 Tet Offensive was the big blow to US hopes in vietnam