Why was the Vietnam War so divisive?

Answer 1

By many it was considered to be an oppressive entry into a Civil War.

Many felt that it placed an unfair burden on blacks, Hispanics and the poor.

An eletist war was still another complaint since many wealthy persons found ways to avoid military service in Vietnam. The government is lying about what is going on in Vietnam was a common mantra and that was more evident when the press began to disclose the US incursions into Laos and Cambodia.

Answer 2

Most American wars have obvious starting points or precipitating causes: the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the capture of Fort Sumter in 1861, the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and the North Korean invasion of South Korea in June 1950, for example. But there was no fixed beginning for the U.S. war in Vietnam.

Answer 3

The Vietnam War divided Australia as a nation due to the introduction of conscription and the emotions and support those of the people expressed towards the war. Many people had different opinions on the Vietnam War, as it was highly televised, and not censored my the Government, unlike previous wars. They could see the terror it brought, and they believed the soldiers that were fighting were responsible. They were no longer considered heroes.

Answer 4

As with any conflict there are more sides to the disputes than at first appear.

Many citizens of the US agreed with the response of their government to the threat of a communist take over of South Vietnam.

As the war escalated many also started to count the cost, in lives as well as financially, and came to the conclusion that the US should not be involved in such a conflict. This gave rise to many confrontations between citizen on each side as well as with the administration and their handling of the matter.

This is obviously a simplification of the matter and does not try to explain any of the specific issues involved. Suffice to say many were for and many were or became objectors to the involvement by the US in the war.