How does Johnson justify “sending men 10,000 miles from home to Vietnam?” 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? Key Question: What role does public opinion play in using military force abroad?
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President Johnson Speech (Modified)
In 1967, 500,000 American troops were stationed in Vietnam. While progress was being seen in the election of Nguyen Van Thieu in South Vietnam under a new constitution, Americans at home increasingly were against America’s involvement.
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.
The true peace-keepers in the world tonight are not those who urge us to retire from the field in Vietnam. The true peace-keepers are those men who stand out there on the DMZ at this very hour, taking the worst that the enemy can give. The true peace-keepers are the soldiers who are breaking the terrorist's grip around the villages of Vietnam—the civilians who are bringing medical care and food and education to people who have already suffered a generation of war.
Let the world know that the keepers of peace will endure through every trial—and that with the full backing of their countrymen, they are going to prevail.
Source: Speech by President Lyndon Baines Johnson to the National Legislative Conference in San Antonio, Texas, September 29, 1967. The National Legislative Conference brought together legislatures from local, state and national government to discuss policy and enactment.
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1. How does Johnson justify “sending men 10,000 miles from home to Vietnam?” |
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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? |
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Key Question: What role does public opinion play in using military force abroad?
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Paul Potter Speech |
President Johnson Speech |
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Perspective and Purpose (who is giving the speech, what is their goal) |
President Johnson and his goal is to |
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Context (what is happening in the US/World) |
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Audience |
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Feelings on use of military force |
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Quote to support feelings |
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Role the United States should play in the world |
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Quote to support that role |
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