The US politics were highly characterized by the Vietnam War, where every individual leader breathed the air of liberating the Americans and ceasing hostilities in the foreign land and ensuring the American troops make their final journey home safe and sound. During the elections in the US, President Nixon managed to defeat his anti-war rival, George McGovern, managing to win 49 of 50 states and attaining a 23% victory margin in popular votes. In other words, the war contributed to President Nixon attaining the …show more content…
After a meticulous campaign and debates, Congress finally decided to pass the 26th Amendment in March 1971, where the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years of age before president Nixon finally ratifying it later in 1st July 1971. During the war, 18-year-old men could be drafted to fight in the war, which was an important factor especially with the regard that the young individuals were willing to risk their lives for their nation . Moreover, the US government wanted to entice more young men to have a patriotic feeling and give them equal opportunity to choose their leaders. On the other hand, the government was not fully contented to have the young men risking their lives without the privilege of choosing their leader. In this manner, the Vietnam War brought new political rights to the young American citizens who now had a chance to participate in both local and national voting like the