Open and view this PowerPoint with information about the Vietnam War.
vietnam_war.ppt |
Click the image to explore a website with videos and images about the war.
As in all times of war, the war in Vietnam came with a new language. This document is a glossary of terms that came about in this war.
vietnam_glossary.pdf |
The Draft
Most of U.S. soldiers drafted during the Vietnam War were men from poor and working-class families. The least political power sections were mistreated. As a matter of fact, American forces in Vietnam included twenty-five percent poor, fifty-five percent working-class, twenty percent middle-class men, but very few came from upper-classes families. Many soldiers came from rural towns and farming communities.
Most of U.S. soldiers drafted during the Vietnam War were men from poor and working-class families. The least political power sections were mistreated. As a matter of fact, American forces in Vietnam included twenty-five percent poor, fifty-five percent working-class, twenty percent middle-class men, but very few came from upper-classes families. Many soldiers came from rural towns and farming communities.
Muhammad Ali, a famous American boxer, was one of the most vocal people against the draft. Click his image to read more.
Langstson Hughes wrote this poem speaking out against the draft.
The Backlash Blues BLUES by Langston Hughes Mister Backlash, Mister Backlash, Just who do you think I am? You raise my taxes, freeze my wages, Send my son to Vietnam. You give me second class houses, Second class schools. Do you think that colored folks Are just second class fools? When I try to find a job To earn a little cash, All you got to offer Is a white backlash. But the world is big, Big and bright and round-- And it's full of folks like me who are Black, Yellow, Beige, and Brown. Mister Backlash, Mister Backlash, What do you think I got to lose? I'm gonna leave you, Mister Backlash, Singing your mean old backlash blues. You're the one Will have the blues. not me-- Wait and see! |
These are just some of the images that emerged from the war and from the protests against the war that were occurring in the U.S. Hover over the images for more information.
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American music has a long and rich history of personal expression. From slave spirituals giving secret directions to freedom in the North; to Jazz music; to anti-war protest songs of the 1960s and 70s; to Macklemore’s “Same Love” in 2013 – music is about so much more than just the tune.
Rock & Roll music first became popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Famous musicians like Jimmy Hendrix and infamous concerts like Woodstock define the era. Singers often used their music to protest America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
The song, Fortunate Son, by Creedence Clearwater Revival was written in response to the unfairness of the draft.
Click below to watch the music video for Fortunate Son.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7qkQewyubs
Fortunate Son lyrics
Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no
Yeah!
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no
Songwriters: JOHN C. FOGERTY
© THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
For non-commercial use only.
Rock & Roll music first became popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Famous musicians like Jimmy Hendrix and infamous concerts like Woodstock define the era. Singers often used their music to protest America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
The song, Fortunate Son, by Creedence Clearwater Revival was written in response to the unfairness of the draft.
Click below to watch the music video for Fortunate Son.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7qkQewyubs
Fortunate Son lyrics
Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no
Yeah!
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no
Songwriters: JOHN C. FOGERTY
© THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
For non-commercial use only.