How Did America's Songs Influence The United States Role In The Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War was a civil war that took place from 1955 to 1975 and involved several countries including China, France, the Soviet Union, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the United States, South Korea, and other U.S. Allies. This war became a major conflict of the Cold War. The United States intervened in the 1950s because they did not want South Vietnam to be taken over by communism. United States soldiers fought in the Vietnam War for almost twenty years, and Americans’ opinions about the United States’ involvement changed from positive, major support of the military in the war to lack of support over time. Over time, the growth of more uncensored and raw information showed what was happening in Vietnam causing a sense of betrayal from Americans.

In the patriotic song “Ballad of the Green Berets,” written in 1966 by Barry Sadler and Robin Moore, U.S. soldiers also known as the “Green Berets” are spoken of very highly. The soldiers are looked at as brave, courageous, fearless, and “America’s best.” Towards the end of the song, it talks about how a woman’s husband did not return and “died for those oppressed.” As requested by the husband, she must now send her son to be a Green Beret and “Make him one of America's best.” (Add sentence) In the anti-war song “Fortunate Son,” written in 1969 by John Cameron Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival, the song repeatedly stated throughout resentment towards wealthier people and their privileges during this wartime period. These lines also emphasize the unfairness of people who did not grow up in privilege and who could get out of being drafted into war. (1954) In photo one, three young children are dressed in military attire wearing grenades preparing to fight the “encroaching Viet Minh forces in the Red River Delta, northern Vietnam.” This image depicts that even young children fought in the