Vietnam War
Many events led up to the Vietnam War. The League for the Independence of Vietnam, generally known as the Viet Minh, was organized in 1941 as a nationalistic party seeking Vietnamese independence from France. On September 2, 1945, less than a month after the Japanese surrendered in World War II, Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Viet Minh, formally declared Vietnamese independence. Not until the mid 1950s did the Viet Minh become openly communist. Fighting broke out between the French and the Viet Minh in 1946, and did not end until 1954. A cease-fire was then called, and a truce was declared. Vietnam was divided along the 17th parallel, with the Viet Minh occupying the northern part, and those under French command would retreat to the southern part. However, two years later, the communist Viet Minh decided to unify South Vietnam with North Vietnam through military force (Britannica.com). America, fearing the spread of communism in Asia, dispatched troops to South Vietnam, hoping to provide the country with economic and military assistance. However, the Diem regime, which governed South Vietnam, was extremely unpopular with the people, and American involvement did not improve the situation. Guerr
As a nation founded on the basic ideas of liberty and freedom, Americans felt it was their duty to protect freedom everywhere. However, despite their good intentions, American involvement in the Vietnam War may have caused irrevocable harm. A country is like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon. The struggle the butterfly encounters while trying to break free from its restraints forces the fluids to move from its body to the wings. Without this struggle, the butterfly¯s wings would remain shriveled, thereby crippling the butterfly. Likewise, a country must also learn to solve its own problems. Too much outside assistance, and the country would become dependant, just like a crippled butterfly. eliving the past event), and what is called `psychic numbing,¯ a withdrawal from the surrounding world,± (Dolan 48). This syndrome can strike at any time after the stressful event, even years afterward. Psychiatrists still believe that PTSD is incurable, and that patients must be helped to live the rest of their lives with it. Treatment for PTSD varies, but generally include: ¤ Examining and resolving strong feelings such as anger, shame, or guilt, which are common among survivors of trauma. ¤ Teaching the survivor to cope with post-traumatic memories, reminders, reactions, and feelings without becoming overwhelmed or emotionally numb. the novel is the title: Fallen Angels. In the book, Lieutenant Carroll is the leader of Perry¯s squad. Whenever one of his soldiers were killed, he would lead the men in a prayer, where he called the soldiers °angel warriors± because the they were no more than boys. So why did Americans fight in the first place? Walter Dean Myer¯s novel, Fallen Angels, may answer part of this question. Though fictitious, this novel gives insight into the soldier¯s state of mind, and also their motivations for fighting. The main character and narrator of the story, Richie Perry, enlisted as soon as he got out of high school because he had no where else to go. Coming from a poor family, he could not afford college, so he joined the army to help support his family. Perry also believes that if the Viet Congs were not stopped in Vietnam, the fighting would continue in the streets of America. °Walowick said that he was fighting because his country asked him to
Some common words found in the essay are:
South Vietnam, PTSD PTSD, Vietnam War, Viet Congs, Psychiatric Association, Viet Minh, Vietnam Dolan, Lieutenant Carroll, Agent Orange, World War, viet minh, south vietnam, vietnam war, world war, world war ii, war ii, post-traumatic stress disorder, returned home, stress disorder, vietnam veterans, american society, post-traumatic stress,
Approximate Word count = 1553
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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