What were the social and cultural effects of the Vietnam War?

Answer 1

Much of the music from the 1960's was influenced by the Vietnam War. The dialogue will often have traces of Vietnam in them. Examples such as Scott McKenzies "If your going to San Francisco..." will mention the flower children, part of the hippy culture which fanned the anti-war movement; Sonny and Cher's "how many times must a cannon ball fly..."; Creedence Clearwater Rivival's, "...Run through the jungle, there's the land WE SMOKE!"; Country Joe and the Fish, "...well it's 1,2,3, what are we fighting for, don't ask me, I don't give a...next stop is Vietnam"; Crosby Stills & Nash, "Tin soldiers and Nixon's bombing, four dead in Ohio..." The music of the 1960's greatly influenced the culture in America.

Answer 2

The social and cultural effects of the war was the aspect of communism thought to be spreading through the world. The war for the religious troops was to stop the communist views spreading as communists do not believe in religion.

Answer 3

Some of the beliefs (remarks made) from US GI's were, "they never did anything to me...", or "...when we're attacked (meaning the United States) then I'll WILLINGLY fight them!" Or, "...if they were landing on our shores...I could see it...but...". On the other hand, some remarks made were, "...well, it's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!" as well as, "...if we don't stop 'em now! We'll be fight 'em in the streets at home!" And then the 'ol Sarge would stop everybody's "snivelling" and say, "alright men! Our's is NOT to reason why, just do and die...now move out!"

Answer 4

During the Vietnam War, in the US, and many other countries around the world, most young men grew long hair (over their ears and collars, some had pony tails, etc.), and long side burns were the custom. If a young man had short hair and was clean shaven, he was instantly "pegged" (pinned) with a military label; or a policeman. So even if a serviceman didn't wear his uniform out in public, people KNEW he was either a cop or a serviceman. If you didn't smoke, drink, and use profanity then you were under suspicion of being a cop or serviceman (even today people in uniform are to refrain from those vice's, at least in public) AND J. Edgar Hoover still ran the FBI during the Vietnam War. In addition, the government was experiencing both the "Civil Right's" movement AND the Vietnam War at the VERY SAME TIME!

Answer 5

The US Military presence in South Vietnam was an "OD" (Olive Drab painted) culture. It was like US citizens had immigrated to South Vietnam but everyone wore OD. The US "citizens" built cities (large bases) and numerous small towns (Firebases) dotting the South Vietnamese countryside. EVERYTHING that exists in big cities & small towns, existed in those "Big Bases" & "Firebases." E.g. Fuel depots (Gas Stations), PX's (Stores), Provost Marshalls (Police Stations), Long Binh Jail (LBJ) (Jails/Prisons), Engineers (Road Construction & Maintenance Crews), gambling houses & EM, NCO, "O" Clubs (Cassino's & Bars), Vehicle Maintenance Depots (Auto Repair Shops), etc. The people of South Vietnam were introduced to the USA, painted in green.

Answer 6

Vietnam was an agricultural based country.