Vietnam and the American Way of War

1. Vietnam and the American Way of War Why a class on the Vietnam and Military History? Class Information/Procedures Review: the Cold War Context How to “Read” a Documentary Film

2. Why a Class on Vietnam & Military History? • My Answer: • I’m interested • It is something I know a fair amount about • A lot of wisdom to be gained from a smallish fact base • RFK • President Ronald Reagan • We really need a wise electorate at this jucture • Near total remove of citizens from the costs and consequences of military policy • Most of the governing class were formed by the Vietnam experience (Pres. Obama and Rep. P. Ryan not withstanding) • What is your answer? • First Homework: get a spiral notebook and bring to class next time • Please write what brings you to this class and these subjects and what you hope to take away from it – say in 1 years and 5 years time.

3. RFK The Lessons of Vietnam Robert Kennedy two days after announcing his candacy for President: “Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live. Now as ever, we do ourselves best justice when we measure ourselves against ancient tests, as in the Antigone of Sophocles: “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only sin is pride.”

4. President Reagan On Vietnam For too long, we have lived with the “Vietnam Syndrome.” Much of that syndrome has been created by the North Vietnamese aggressors who now threaten the peaceful people of Thailand. Over and over they told us for nearly 10 years that we were the aggressors bent on imperialistic conquests. They had a plan. It was to win in the field of propaganda here in America what they could not win on the field of battle in Vietnam. As the years dragged on, we were told that peace would come if we would simply stop interfering and go home. It is time we recognized that ours was, in truth, a noble cause. A small country newly free from colonial rule sought our help in establishing self-rule and the means of self-defense against a totalitarian neighbor bent on conquest. We dishonor the memory of 50,000 young Americans who died in that cause when we give way to feelings of guilt as if we were doing something shameful, and we have been shabby in our treatment of those who returned. They fought as well and as bravely as any Americans have ever fought in any war. They deserve our gratitude, our respect, and our continuing concern. There is a lesson for all of us in Vietnam. If we are forced to fight, we must have the means and the determination to prevail or we will not have what it takes to secure the peace. And while we are at it, let us tell those who fought in that war that we will never again ask young men to fight and possibly die in a war our government is afraid to let them win.

5. Back to RFK • “I am concerned that, at the end of the day there will only be more Americans killed; more of our treasure spilled out….; more hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese slaughttered; so that they may say, as Tacitus said of Rome: “They made a desert, and called it peace.”

6. Class Procedures • Sit in assigned seat • Bring a spiral notebook that you keep for only this class every day • See my website @: mrlickey.wikispaces.com for weekly calanders and lecture materials/class handouts

7. The Cold War Review and discuss: • What was the cold war? • When? • How was it fought? • What was it about? • When did it end? • What does it have to do with Vietnam? • What does it have to do with American military policy today?