The Vietnam War was perhaps the most hypocritical devastating action of the united states. It was another proxy war that took place during the cold war between America and the Soviet Union.
Americans imperialists tendencies and sensationalism around the war made it one of the darkest pages in our history. The atrocities committed against the Vietnamese and the needless death and suffering made it deeply unpopular and also increased the distrust between American people and politicians. Ho Chi Min, the North Vietnamese independence leader was inspired by the American ideals of self-determinism and democracy.
Tragically however, the United States was unable to see his plea for liberation from a colonial power over his tendency towards communism. We were blinded by our fear of communism and it was the Americans, particularly those of low social class, that suffered. This also heightened economic tensions as African Americans and other minorities were disproportionally likely to be part of a lower socioeconomic class largely due to discriminatory practices.
During this period the civil rights and black power movement attempted to bring awareness the injustices which African Americans faced. This was also the fist war to be brought into American living rooms through television and outraged the public. Especially incidents like the Lai massacre and others where entire villages of women and children were slaughtered. The anti-war protest movements continued to grow after the publican of the Pentagon papers which Ellsberg has leaked to the press. This heightened social political tensions as there was increased frustration with media and the government.
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