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Protest and Veterans: A Comparison of the Vietnam War and the War on Terror

Protest and Veterans: A Comparison of the Vietnam War and the War on Terror. Courtney Wood Teach American History Grant 2010. Purpose and Objectives.

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Protest and Veterans: A Comparison of the Vietnam War and the War on Terror

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  1. Protest and Veterans:A Comparison of the Vietnam War and the War on Terror Courtney Wood Teach American History Grant 2010

  2. Purpose and Objectives • As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have carried on in this first decade of the 21st century, a comparison has been made to another controversial military conflict of the 20th century. The similarities between the Vietnam War and the War on Terror are striking. This primary source set examines some of the similarities and differences. Some would say that the mistakes of the past and the tactics used to fight against them are repeating themselves today. Others would say that the United States is once again answering the call to defend democracy. The goal of this presentation is to present the parallels and discuss whether or not we as a nation are reliving the past and if the notion of “not repeating the mistakes of the past,” is at all possible.

  3. Background Information • These assignments and discussions are culminating activities following a unit discussing and analyzing the Vietnam War. It would be beneficial to present information about the September 11th attacks and the outbreak of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Students with basic outside information will be better able to make historical comparisons and think critically. • Some of the lyrics of some of the songs used contain limited adult language. Teacher discretion is advised. (This is especially the case with both Winter Soldier Hearings- for juniors and seniors only due to extremely graphic accounts of war time events)

  4. Outline • 1. Protest Music • 2. Veterans Protest Groups and Tactics Vietnam Veterans Against War and Iraq Veterans Against War Winter Soldier Hearings Guerilla Theater • 3. Veterans’ Medical Care (or lack thereof) Bronx VA and the Walter Reed Medical Center

  5. War Protest Songs

  6. Vietnam Protest Songs • Simple of Song of Freedom • 1. According to the lyrics, who wants war? • 2. What message is being sent by this song?

  7. Vietnam Protest Songs • War • 1. Why does Starr despise war? • 2. According to Starr, how does the war affect the young men fighting? • 3. According to the lyrics, what do we need more of today?

  8. Vietnam Protest Song • Fortunate Son • 1. Why do you think the senator’s, millionaire’s and military (officer’s) sons are fortunate? • 2. What is the message of the song?

  9. Vietnam Protest Song • Bring Them Home • 1. Who will be sad if the troops come home? • 2. According the lyrics, when would Seeger fight against the enemy? • 3. Is this an anti-war or an anti-Vietnam song? Explain.

  10. War On Terror Protest Song • The Day After Tomorrow • 1. What will happen the day after tomorrow? • 2. According to the lyrics, what was the soldier fighting for? What was he not fighting for? • 3. How might this song influence the public perception of the war in Iraq?

  11. War On Terror Protest Song • Dear Mr. President • 1. Is this criticism of George W. Bush similar to criticism of Presidents Johnson and Nixon? Explain. • 2. What does Pink want President Bush to explain? • 3. This song was not widely released in the United States. Why? How might people have reacted? If it was released, do you think radio stations and music television would have embraced it?

  12. War On Terror Protest Song • Mosh • 1. “No more blood for oil, we got out own battles to fight on our own soil.” What does Eminem mean? Should we focus our attention on issues at home? What about the terrorists who threaten our nation? • 2. What does Eminem call on his audience to do? • 3. What or who is being criticized? The war? President Bush? Both?

  13. War On Terror Protest Song • American Idiot • 1. “Where everything isn’t meant to be okay, Television dreams of tomorrow, We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow.” What does this mean? • 2. “One nation controlled by the media.” Why do that?

  14. War On Terror Protest Song • Do You Know The Enemy? • 1. Who is the enemy? • 2. How could this topic be associated with the War on Terror?

  15. Veterans Protest Groups:

  16. Vietnam Veterans Against the War • John Kerry- Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement (1971- text) • Part One (audio)Part Two (Audio) • Part Three (audio) • 1. What was the purpose of the Winter Soldier Investigation? • 2. According to John Kerry, what do the Vietnamese people want? • 3. What message is Kerry attempting to send to Congress when describing the “mistake,” that is, in his opinion, the Vietnam War? • 4. The last sentence: What does Kerry mean by turned (around)? Have we as a nation done this?

  17. Iraq Veterans Against the War • IVAW Website: Why Are We Against the War? • 1. In your opinion, what are the three top reasons why this group opposes the current war? • 2. How is this group similar to the VVAW? Differences?

  18. Vietnam Winter Soldier Hearings • **Notes- Caution, Extremely Graphic • Winter Soldier-VVAW part 1

  19. Iraq/AfghanistanWinter Soldier Hearings • BBC Coverage of the Iraq Winter Soldier • Iraq Winter Soldier • **Caution- Extremely Graphic! • 1. How were the stories of both sets of veterans similar? Different? • 2. Before this assignment, have you ever heard of these events? • 3. If this an effective tool of protest?

  20. Vietnam Guerilla Theater • Page 98 The Turning (pg 98)

  21. Iraq Guerilla Theater • June 1, 2007- Operation First Casualty Announced • 1. What did the veterans do when they participated in guerilla theater? • 2. What was the purpose of this method of protest? • 3. Is this effective?

  22. Veterans and Medical Care Scandals

  23. Treatment of Vietnam Veterans • Our Forgotten Wounded: Life Magazine, May 22, 1970 • 1. What conditions do the veterans face at the Bronx VA? • 2. Why are the conditions like this?

  24. Treatment of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans • Walter Reed Scandal Video • Walter Reed Article • 1. What conditions do the veterans face at the Walter Reed Medical Center buildings?

  25. Conclusion • Blowin' in the Wind- Bob Dylan • 1. Where can answers be found? • 2. What does this mean? Can the answers really be found there? Can we try?

  26. Possible Discussion Questions: • Is military action necessary at times? • Should people accept the fact that war is brutal? • Should soldiers tell the stories that they told at the Winter Soldier hearings? • Should we have “rules” for war? • How are the songs of each era similar? How are they different? • Are protest songs an effective means of protest? • How does each president, Johnson and Bush, justify their policies and actions regarding each war? • Was/Is one protest movement more successful than the other? • The media is much more restricted today than in the Vietnam era. How has that affected the current protests against the war? Should American civilians see these images or should they be restricted?

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