Key topic 4: Reactions to, and the end of, US involvement in Vietnam,…

The idea

Opposition to the Vietnam War grew significantly in the US due to several intersecting factors. The student movement, organised by groups like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), held large-scale protests and teach-ins, questioning the war's morality. The draft system fuelled immense resentment, as it disproportionately conscripted working-class and minority men, leading to draft-dodging and public draft-card burnings. Furthermore, Vietnam was the first 'television war'. Uncensored media coverage broadcast graphic images of casualties and atrocities, such as the Tet Offensive and the My Lai Massacre, directly into American living rooms. This starkly contradicted the government's optimistic reports, creating a 'credibility gap' that eroded public trust and galvanised the anti-war movement.

What earns the marks

• Explain the role of the student movement in organising protests, teach-ins, and challenging the political establishment.
• Describe how the draft system was perceived as unfair, disproportionately affecting poorer and minority communities, leading to active resistance.
• Analyse the impact of television and media coverage in bringing the brutal reality of the war to the American public.
• Explain how media reports contradicting official government statements created a 'credibility gap' that fuelled opposition.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming that the media was entirely anti-war from the very beginning.

  Put it right: Note that early media coverage was generally supportive; it became increasingly critical after the Tet Offensive in 1968.

• Stating that only students opposed the war.

  Put it right: Emphasise that while students were prominent, opposition eventually encompassed a wide cross-section of society, including veterans, politicians, and civil rights leaders.

• Ignoring the specific inequalities of the draft.

  Put it right: Explicitly mention that college deferments meant wealthier, white men could often avoid service, making the draft a class and race issue.

Exam tips

• When discussing media coverage, use specific examples like the reporting of the Tet Offensive by Walter Cronkite to show its impact on public opinion.
• Link the draft system to broader social issues in the US, such as the Civil Rights Movement.
• Be prepared to explain how the growth of opposition influenced government policy, such as Nixon's decision to withdraw troops.