One of the main jobs of historians is to interpret the past by reviewing primary documents, scholarly secondary sources, and then creating an analysis (or interpretation) of this research. This assignment will allow you to create your own interpretation of the Vietnam War. Your response should be at least 300 words and contain your analysis, reaction, or connection to a specific issue within the historical narrative that you find compelling. For full credit, your paper must not simply sum up the reading or repeat points made there. Rather, I’m looking for you to create your own interpretation, explain the emotional content of the piece, or discuss some original insight. Include citations as needed. Historians of the same time period vary their research topics in order for us to gain a richer and fuller picture of the past and so that our understanding of the past will be as accurate and complete as possible. In the interest of allowing you, as young historians, to follow your own interests, please select one of the following topics to address.
Vets Return Home: After reading your text and reviewing the assigned materials, submit an analysis of the troops returning from Vietnam. You might want to consider the following questions, but you are not limited to them: How were they were treated upon returning from the war? Why do you believe they were treated this way and what role did the antiwar movement play? How has our treatment of soldiers returning home from war changed? Why?