Author:
Lawrence A. Sanders
Grade: 7-10
Objective: Students
will gain an understanding of the generation of Arkansans/Americans who fought
for and protested against American policy.
Not everyone has always agreed in American History.
Set: Find
a copy of the country song, AThe Bus Don=t Run From Saigon to Little Rock@. While the
song plays, show a short video alternating between soldiers in Viet Nam and
protesters in America. (You will need
to edit, cut and paste a little) End with a shot of the Viet Nam Memorial.
Arkansas History Guidelines:
1.1.11,
1.1.15, 2.1.8. 2.1.9, 3.1.15, 5.1.14,
5.1.15, 5.1.16, 6.1.9, 6.1.13
Materials: Maps
- world, Viet Nam, and U.S.
Website
access to the AVirtual Wall@
Magazines
(pictures) from the late 60's
Video
AHistorically Speaking; 1965 -69, or any video on the
Viet Nam Era
Key Terms: Communism
Communist Aggression Containment
North Viet Nam South
Viet Nam civil unrest
military advisors Viet
Cong Protest
Hanoi Saigon Activists
Key Facts: *
Why were North & South Viet Nam separate nations - Explain the divisions of captured territory after World War II
*
Why were they fighting - Communist North wanted to unite the country under Communist leadership
*
What major powers supported each side -
North; Soviet Union / South: U.S.
*
Help students locate Viet Nam on the world map / Where is it in relation to
Arkansas / How far is it from your home
*
Identify sites of major battles
*
How did the U.S. get involved - the Kennedy administration sent military
advisors to help South Viet Nam in the early 60's - American policy against
communism was containment. Eventually
American troops were sent to keep the North from overtaking South Viet Nam
*
Why did some Americans protest the war - many claimed our intervention was an
aggressive act / they didn=t believe we
should be involved in a foreign struggle
*
Where did many protests take place / college campuses have been places to voice
opinion since the earliest colleges / 4 Students were killed by National
guardsmen at Kent State
*
How many Arkansans fought / research
*
How many Americans died in Viet Nam / How many Arkansans / research
*
What were changes in technology and culture that had an impact on the war
Activity # 1: In
cooperative groups, students will make a 10 minute video documentary.
Students
will interview 3 people who lived during the Viet Nam Era.
A. A Solider (combat soldier, if possible)
B. Spouse/ parent/ close relative of a soldier
who served in Viet Nam
C. Person who opposed the war
Questions:
Common questions to be used in the interviews (You many use other questions
along with these, but these are required)
Group A: How
old were you?
Did
you know other Arkansans there?
What
was it like there?
What
is your most vivid memory?
How
did you feel knowing people at home were protesting?
Would
you do it again?
Group B: Who
was your relative in Viet Nam?
How
did you feel during the time?
How
did you feel about the T.V. coverage of the war?
Are
you proud of . .. ?
How
did it feel to see the protests?
Would
you want your _____ (relative) to do it again?
Group C: How
old were you during the Viet Nam Era?
Where
were you during the protests?
Did
you openly protest the war?
Why
did you oppose the war?
How
did you feel seeing the faces of the soldiers on T.V. as you protested.
Would
you do it again?
Do Activities # 2 & 3
while students are working on the video.
Activity # 2: Draw
a time line. Research and place on the
time line events during the Viet Nam Era.
Political events / cultural events: music, movies, changes in clothing,
etc / scientific, what cars were popular, etc. ( Beatles, Drugs, Woodstock,
Moon Landing, Tie dyes, Afro, etc)
Activity # 3: Dress
up Day! Get students to find clothing
from the period. Use magazines, old
T.V. shows, talk to parents, etc. Have
students dress in late 60's early 70's attire.
Activity # 4: Write
an essay covering:
Time
period of Viet Nam
Reasons
for the war
Reasons
for U. S. intervention
State
your feelings about the culture
State
your feeling about U.S. intervention
State
your feeling: Would you have supported or opposed the war? Why?