As Presented in a People's History of American Empire

Name ______Date ______Period _____

The Vietnam War

as Presented in A People's History of American Empire

Directions: Read A People’s History of American Empire pages 160-208 and answer the questions which follow. There is a fair amount of thinking involved, so do not assume that you will be able to find all of the answers simply by reading the text; please do not just skim through looking for answers as you will take a great deal more from the book if you carefully read the dialogue.

The Quiet War:

1) What was the goal of the Viet Minh? Who was their leader?

2) Explain the Domino Theory in your own words. What American political policy can it be connected to?

3) What factors led to American involvement in Vietnam?

4) Who did the N.L.F./Viet Cong use to lead their guerrilla units? Why do you suppose that was?

5) Why was the Gulf of Tonkin incident important?

From Resistance to Revolt:

6) The last frame on page 166 raises an interesting question. Provide an answer.

The My Lai Massacre:

7) Terrible things certainly happened at My Lai, but a soldier can be court-martialed for self inflicted wounds and refusing to follow orders. What do you think should have been done with Herb Carter?

8) How could livestock be considered Viet Cong support units?

9) The decision by prisoners to call the Long Binh Jail "LBJ" was more than just a convenient abbreviation. Think about it. Explain why.

A Peace Mission:

10) Are you surprised that, as an anti-war activist, Zinn was willing to go to Vietnam to help the very men who were carrying out a war? Explain.

What Happens to a Dream Deferred?:

11) Do you think, in the late 1960s, the Civil Rights movement should have focused more on equality of opportunity or equality of condition? Explain.

War Resistance at Home:

12) Dan Berrigan and the Catonsville Nine were not the only peace activists being targeted by the FBI. Do you think the government had a right to go after such people in the interest of national security? Explain.

13) Why do you suppose, even today, most Americans are aware of the shootings at Kent State, but few are aware of the shootings at Jackson State?

The Second Battle of Wounded Knee:

14) Use your brain and notes to explain, briefly, the first Battle of Wounded Knee.

15) How was Dicky Wilson able to maintain control of Pine Ridge?

16) What was AIM?

17) What is the irony of the accusation that the AIM was trespassing on Wounded Knee?

18) Write a thesis regarding the accuracy of the letter on page 191. List at least three pieces of evidence you would use to support your thesis.

19) Assess the success of AIM.

Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers:

20) What organizations had Daniel Ellsberg worked for? What turned him against the war in Vietnam?

21) Why did Daniel Ellsberg believe he had a unique ability to support the anti-war movement?

22) What is "Prior Restraint"? How is it relevant to the Pentagon Papers?

23) What eventually happened to Daniel Ellsberg?

Hostage to Imperialism:

24) What do you think about Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon?

25) Think. When Vietnam was "lost", what long standing U.S. policy failed?

26) What do you suppose Samuel P. Huntington meant by an "excess of democracy"? Do you believe that it is possible to have an "excess of democracy"? Explain.

27) Sorry this was so long. Draw a smiley face to make yourself feel better. Give it a fun hat…maybe some other fun accessories. Now, add a speech bubble which summarizes your feelings about the Vietnam War. Are we happy now?