The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War
Prior to the Vietnam War most of the American population held official institutions, universities, and their Congressmen in very high regard. The American population began to change their views in the 1960’s. There were two separate view points that began to evolve during this time frame. One of these groups felt that we had gone to Vietnam for a purpose and we shouldn’t leave until our job was completed. The other group of people thought Vietnam was a loosing battle that carried a burden socially and economically on the United States, the intentions were good for getting involved in the conflict but the bottom line was that the United States needed to get out of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War the draft was instituted, it was the first time that a draft was instituted since 1942. The draft meant that the men and women of the baby booming era were eligible to be sent off and fight in the conflict that was being strongly questioned for the United States involvement. There were however draft deferments and exceptions available to college students but only while they were still attending college, once the student graduated, or quit going to college they were eligible to be sent off to Vietnam. The students who avoided the war by going to college were very much aware of the injustice situation used protest as a way of communicating their feelings. Most of the largest protest against the Vietnam War was held on college campuses. There were over 2 million Americans that fought in the Vietnam War with a death toll of over 58,000. Financial cost grew and the resentment that Americans had about the war grew as the war dragged on. Many of Americans feelings were mirrored by the student’s protests and the lack of the publics support made the situation worse. As students were graduating from college they were giving the incentive to join their fellow students in the protest to try and put a stop to the war before they could be drafted. Several actions of the government only...