How did the Vietnam War affect Americans?

Answer 1

The Vietnam War changed America in many different ways. It's very well known that Vietnam dealt a profound blow to our self-image. This devastating setback was so profound that in 1990 Saddam Hussein was so convinced that the Americans would not support another eastern war after Vietnam that he boldly conquered Kuwait at the risk of US and UN involvement. George H. W. Bush responded by promising his constituents that the Gulf War "would not be another Vietnam." His administration was careful to portray the 1991 conflict as a clinical, distant, and technological battle. After the coalition forces, dominated by troops and leaders from the US, won a decisive victory President Bush jubilantly declared, "By God, we've kicked the Vietnam Syndrome once and for all!"

This clearly demonstrates that after Vietnam Americans no longer believed they were militarily invincible and were less willing to support foreign troops abroad. Increasingly Americans began seeing their nation as a bellicose war mongering nation sacrificing its sons and daughters needlessly. Even before the war ended Americans were beginning to change their historical approach to liberating unstable countries. For example, after the Spanish-American War the US troops maintained a continuous presence in the Philippine Isles and established a pro-American administration. They built roads, drained swamps, battled yellow fever (often using volunteer soldiers from the marines as human guinea pigs) and established sanitation systems. The Americans felt that they were the only ones who could liberate and civilize 'the khakis.' They took this full obligation upon themselves.

However, a new approach (what is now being employed in Iraq,) was founded by Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War as Americans were increasingly feeling the burden of a distant, multi-billion dollar police action. Declared "the Nixon Doctrine," this new tactic announced that Americans would honor previous defence commitments but that in the future foreigners would have to fight their own battles without US support. Nixon plainly declared, "America cannot…undertake all the defense of the free nations of the world."

This was a transformation in America's self image, and it was increasingly popular. President Roosevelt, for example, used his infamous 'big stick,' to take over debt-stricken South American nations without provocation. He cleaned up corrupt politicians and paid off the nations debts before stepping out. He took it upon himself, with the support of the American people, to defend these nations from European debt collectors. After Vietnam Americans no longer believe it's their place or within their power to police the world, even for the greater good. Instead, our new approach is to ennable locals to protect and maintain themselves. We send 20 billion dollars a year in foreign aid to Iraq in an attempt to outfit, equip, and ennable the local, freshly established administration.

I recomend you read "The American Pageant," by David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey.

Answer 2

As long as they weren't drafted or had a loved one over there, then they couldn't have cared less.