Hawks In The Vietnam War

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The Vietnam War divided the United States into two separate categories: Hawks and Doves. Supporters of the war were known as Hawks, while pacifists were known as Doves. The Hawks believed the aggression North Vietnam displayed forced the United States into war, whereas Doves felt the civil war in Vietnam was not the United States responsibility and it was causing unnecessary costs and deaths. Not too long before the Vietnam War, a movement called the “Red Scare” flourished throughout America. The Red Scare promoted fear of a potential rise in communism. A commonly believed idea to the hawks, known as the "Domino Theory”, supported this agitation. This notion states if one country transitions towards communism then the surrounding countries …show more content…

Furthermore, the Doves held a substantial amount of anti-war protests. Many students participated in sit-ins and marches, young men burned their draft card, and protesters took over buildings and destroyed property at various universities. They believed American lives and money were being wasted on an unjust war. Such antiwar protests fed a widespread spirit of rebellion. Young people of the 1960's and 1970's refused to follow traditional American culture and values. The Doves changed the way they dressed, the music they listened to, and overall way of life. People believed in the judgment of Doves due to the peaceful and civil manner in which they believed the war should conclude. The Doves were against the bombing of Vietnam and desired the removal of troops from foreign land. Moreover, they assumed the Vietnamese people could improve their own government without any American intervention. Though the Doves presented logical and well-thought through arguments, I agree considerably more with the Hawk’s perceptions over the Vietnam War. It was crucial in the achievement of world peace and aimed to help Vietnam through a detrimental

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