2007-12-11 15:31:04 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
In the 50's, Vietnam was known as French Indonesia. A French Colony that revolted French rule to become a free government. The US sent "Military Advisers" to the area during the 60's to help stabilize the newly formed democratic government.
As the Communist movement escalated into Civil War, the US had 2 choices. Pull out their advisers and let the Vietnamese fight their own war, or stay and fight with the Democratic South Vietnamese under the Trueman Doctrine.
President Johnson choose the latter.
The people, who couldn't find Vietnam on a map wondered why we were drafting young men to send them off to die in the protection of a noun(democracy).
Although the Korean War is called the forgotten war, I cannot believe that people in 1965 had already forgotten the thousands who died in the Korean Stalemate for the same reasons
Add to this the fact that for the first time, with the advent of Television and Jet Aircraft, the general public is able to see video footage of American wounded the same day they are wounded on the other side of the world, on a daily basis. And learn virtually first hand why it is said that "War is Hell"
2007-12-11 15:57:25 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel E 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Mostly because the war involved an issue that most Americans couldn't relate to and they were being drafted to help fight, and die, for it.
2007-12-11 15:35:10 · answer #2 · answered by leilix 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because of the draft. They were taking boys over to fight that didn't want to go.
The government just said you are this number so you go.
2007-12-11 15:50:35 · answer #3 · answered by Tigger 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
thousands dying far away, in a civil war, in a culture we dont understand.
just like Iraq
2007-12-11 15:52:47 · answer #4 · answered by DoctorSchultz 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋