How does the use of these primary documents help us to understand the confusion that was Vietnam?

Book in relation to the paper:

Cobbs, Elizabeth, Edward J. Blum, and Jon Gjerde. Major Problems in American History, Volume II. Vol. 2. Cengage Learning, 2016.

How does the use of these primary documents help us to understand the confusion that was Vietnam?  

Here are some questions that I would like you to address in your paper. 

 In your own words, describe the Vietnam War. 

Why were the American Soldiers there? 

Why was the United States fighting communism? 

Describe the escalation of the troops being sent to Vietnam. 

Why do you think was the reason the US was not “winning” even though so many troops were sent over? You can use quotes from the text and video to help support your answers. 

Through the letters, who was the typical soldier? How old was he? Explain and give details..What were some of the things the soldiers wrote home asked for?   Explain the feelings through the letters. Was there a difference between what people were seeing at home and what people were seeing in Vietnam.

How much bombing was done by the United States during the Vietnam War? 

According to the video, what was the turning point of the war? What happened?  

Why did some of the soldiers feel the war was “wrong”? ( Phil’s Letter) Describe Christmas at Vietnam and Peter’s Letter? What happened in

My Lai? 

How was the war taking the toll mentally, even among the nurses?

Not all of the letters speak of the Vietnam War in the same way.  

What were some of the different emotions and themes are reflected in the letters?  What could explain why the letters are different if they all served in the same war?

What do you think is the most powerful letter from the book and the film? 

What letter did you feel gave an interesting perspective of Vietnam? Explain in depth why.

How do you think the Vietnam War is viewed today? 

What lessons do you think we learned from this war? Do you think we have subscribed to this lesson?