Activity #9 - Source Evaluation, President Johnson Speech Read this speech, then respond to the questions. Why are we sending men 10,000 miles from home to Vietnam? We cherish freedom and self-determination for all people. We have always looked to strengthen free people against domination by aggressive foreign powers. And this is not simply an American viewpoint. The leaders of the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore all are grateful for the United States protecting their nations and the rest of Asia from the threat of Communist rule. The people of Vietnam wanted an elected government. They wanted it strongly enough to brave Communist terror and assassination to vote for it. It has been said that they killed more civilians in 4 weeks trying to keep them from voting before the election than our American bombers have killed in the bombing of military targets in North Vietnam. We have attempted to negotiate with North Vietnam. We have offered to stop aerial and naval bombing. But Hanoi refuses to negotiate. They see our dissent at home as disloyalty and believe they have longer staying power. Are the North Vietnamese right about us? I think they are wrong. I think it is the common failing of totalitarian regimes that they cannot really understand the qualities of our democracy. It is a tragedy that they must discover these qualities in the American people and discover them through a bloody war. Since World War II, this Nation has met and has mastered many challenges in Greece and Turkey, in Berlin, in Korea, in Cuba. We met them because brave men were willing to risk their lives for their nation's security. And braver men have never lived than those who carry our colors in Vietnam at this very hour. Our goal around the world has always been – peace. 2. This speech is meant to convince the American public to support the war in Vietnam. What is the most convincing part of Johnson’s argument? Activity #10 - Source Evaluation, Paul Potter “Incredible War” Speech Read this speech, then respond to the questions. On April 17, 1965 the Students for a Democratic Society and Women’s Strike for Peace led their first anti-Vietnam War protest in Washington, D.C. 25,000 people joined in the protest which included speeches and music. The further we explore the reality of what this country is doing and planning in Vietnam the more we are driven toward the conclusion that the United States is rapidly becoming the greatest threat to world peace in the world today. The President says that we are defending freedom in Vietnam. Whose freedom? Not the freedom of the Vietnamese. The pattern of repression and destruction that we have developed and justified in this war is so thorough that it can only be called cultural genocide. We have broken and destroyed local customs and traditions, trampled upon those things of value which give dignity and purpose to life. The President mocks freedom if he insists that the war in Vietnam is a defense of American freedom. Perhaps the only freedom that this war protects is the freedom of the Warhawks in the Pentagon and the State Department to experiment in counter-insurgency and guerilla warfare. 1. What is the Origin of this speech (when was it given, where, and by whom)? Honors: When it comes to the truth about public opinion and Vietnam, how does the origin add value to the document and in what ways does it serve as a limitation? 2. How does Potter's perspective on the reasons fot US involvement in Vietnam differ from that of President Johnson? Key Question: What role does public opinion play in using military force abroad?
Activity #9 - Source Evaluation, President Johnson Speech
Read this speech, then respond to the questions.
Why are we sending men 10,000 miles from home to Vietnam? We cherish freedom and self-determination for all people. We have always looked to strengthen free people against domination by aggressive foreign powers. And this is not simply an American viewpoint. The leaders of the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore all are grateful for the United States protecting their nations and the rest of Asia from the threat of Communist rule.
The people of Vietnam wanted an elected government. They wanted it strongly enough to brave Communist terror and assassination to vote for it. It has been said that they killed more civilians in 4 weeks trying to keep them from voting before the election than our American bombers have killed in the bombing of military targets in North Vietnam.
We have attempted to negotiate with North Vietnam. We have offered to stop aerial and naval bombing. But Hanoi refuses to negotiate. They see our dissent at home as disloyalty and believe they have longer staying power.
Are the North Vietnamese right about us? I think they are wrong. I think it is the common failing of totalitarian regimes that they cannot really understand the qualities of our democracy. It is a tragedy that they must discover these qualities in the American people and discover them through a bloody war.
Since World War II, this Nation has met and has mastered many challenges in Greece and Turkey, in Berlin, in Korea, in Cuba. We met them because brave men were willing to risk their lives for their nation's security. And braver men have never lived than those who carry our colors in Vietnam at this very hour.
Our goal around the world has always been – peace.
2. This speech is meant to convince the American public to support the war in Vietnam. What is the most convincing part of Johnson’s argument?
Activity #10 - Source Evaluation, Paul Potter “Incredible War” Speech
Read this speech, then respond to the questions.
On April 17, 1965 the Students for a Democratic Society and Women’s Strike for Peace led their first anti-Vietnam War protest in Washington, D.C. 25,000 people joined in the protest which included speeches and music.
The further we explore the reality of what this country is doing and planning in Vietnam the more we are driven toward the conclusion that the United States is rapidly becoming the greatest threat to world peace in the world today.
The President says that we are defending freedom in Vietnam. Whose freedom? Not the freedom of the Vietnamese. The pattern of repression and destruction that we have developed and justified in this war is so thorough that it can only be called cultural genocide. We have broken and destroyed local customs and traditions, trampled upon those things of value which give dignity and purpose to life.
The President mocks freedom if he insists that the war in Vietnam is a defense of American freedom. Perhaps the only freedom that this war protects is the freedom of the Warhawks in the Pentagon and the State Department to experiment in counter-insurgency and guerilla warfare.
1. What is the Origin of this speech (when was it given, where, and by whom)?
Honors: When it comes to the truth about public opinion and Vietnam, how does the origin add value to the document and in what ways does it serve as a limitation?
2. How does Potter's perspective on the reasons fot US involvement in Vietnam differ from that of President Johnson?
Key Question: What role does public opinion play in using military force abroad?
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