How Did The Vietnam War Change America

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As I reflect on the beginning of this semester, I realize how much my perspective on the Vietnam War has changed, leading to personal growth and maturity. Coming into this course, I believe I had a decent grasp on the history of the Vietnam War from learning about it in high school. Now I realize that in high school I didn’t dive this deeply into the material and only breached the surface of what happened in the Vietnam War. This course has not only taught me about the war, but also about myself. It has allowed me to reflect on my values and beliefs concerning the material. I always wondered why American soldiers struggled to gain support from the Vietnamese villagers. However, upon learning the material, the reasons have become clear to me. …show more content…
With the U.S. taking this course of action, we were viewed as another foreign power trying to take control of Vietnam. Vietnamese didn’t see America as a helping hand, but as a foreign power trying to take their country, just like many foreign powers did in the past. The U.S. just replaced France and was viewed as an invader and enemy. Reading Hayslip’s book, I learned that the Vietnamese villagers suffered far more than I initially thought. The detailed accounts in the book revealed the extent of their hardships during the war. Hayslip’s narrative sheds light on the civilian cost of war and the obstacles they had to face. Her perspective changed the views I had on the Vietnamese people. I realized that they suffered just as much or more than the American soldiers. Their families were split, they were surrounded by blood and death, and they lost loved ones due to the war. These people were stuck in the middle of the war and each side wanted their support. This course has taught me to think critically and consider multiple perspectives, rather than just one side of an event. I find Hayslip’s resilience and commitment to her values truly

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