Experiences of War

In this lesson, students will view two video segments from Ken Burns & ​Lynn Novick: The Vietnam War that focus on those Americans who served in the military in Vietnam and those who did not. In the first clip, four men describe their incentives for enlisting to go to war. In the second clip, students hear from Americans who chose not serve, how they avoided going to Vietnam, and why. Students will complete two graphic organizers to help them identify the motivations of, and see the similarities and differences among, those who served in Vietnam and those who didn’t.

The men who enlisted came from every corner of the country. They were idealists—inspired by the values of "duty, honor, and country"—who believed in what America stood for and wanted to serve their country, as had those who served in World War II. NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled Who Served and Who Didn't.

A majority of Americans supported the war. But of the nearly 27 million American men who came of age during the Vietnam War, more than half avoided military service through exemptions, deferments, or service in the Reserves or National Guard. Those who avoided service were generally white, better educated, or better-connected. The result was an Army heavily skewed toward minorities and the underprivileged. At first, 10,000 draftees were called up each month. But in 1966, that number was raised to 30,000. Thousands of college students lost their deferments, resulting in campus unrest and organized anti-war demonstrations. NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled Who Served and Who Didn't.

In this lesson, students will view segments from Ken Burns & ​Lynn Novick: The Vietnam War of Vietnam veteran and author Tim O'Brien reading from The Things They Carried, and use this literature to learn about soldiers’ experiences in war. They try their hand at writing about the things they themselves carry, and what those things say about themselves.

Vietnam veteran and author Tim O’Brien reads from his book The Things They Carried. NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled "The Things They Carried."

Vietnam veteran and author Tim O’Brien reads from his book The Things They Carried. NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled "The Things They Carried."

In this lesson, students will watch and listen to different perspectives about the value of fighting in the Vietnam War and the value of protesting the war.

For the first time in American history, veterans came home from a war and said "this war's got to stop." In April 1971, John Kerry, one of the leaders of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The next day, veterans demonstrated against the war, including throwing their medals over a fence in front of the U.S. Capitol. NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled Patriotism, Service, and Protest.