The Vietnam War

My knowledge on the Vietnam War really didn’t extend further that its name and very obviously where it was fought. The memorial in Washington DC is the most I’ve ever seen of something related to it, so needless to say; I wasn’t acquainted with this subject.  I feel guilty about having this magnitude of ignorance on a subject that is such a large part of US history. Not having been introduced to it through school previously impeded any further curiosity on the matter thus the complete lack of information.

The Vietnam War was a battle between North Vietnam and South Vietnam which originated when communism was introduced in North Vietnam. The whole reason for the United States involvement and its support for South Vietnam is truly what I see as unfathomable. That a nation of such size could succumb under the fear of communism and the Domino Theory that suggests all countries becoming communist and is so far fetched even in the most exaggerated of circumstances. Out of all the reasons to have a war I never thought something like that was in fact why so many soldiers were drafted, died and today the Washington memorial stands to commemorate them. 

Just as I question the reason for the US’ involvement, it seems many at the time showed anger towards the matter. However, the reason for this was also influenced by the newly introduced media on the war that allowed families to tune into the war—for those who wanted to watch. It was the first televised footage of combat and it was brutal footage, giving the unaltered and no longer distorted image of war that many people were not familiar with.  Ignorance was no longer a factor, people were informed and angry with what they were watching.

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