After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Americans drew very different “lessons” from the experience of defeat in Vietnam. Analyze how the country polarized politically around some of the meanings and “lessons” of the Vietnam War? ( how hawks & doves might have viewed these lessons)

To get you started --

The doves said -- "We told you so -- we should never have fought in Vietnam."

The hawks said -- "We could have won this war if the country had been behind us and given us all of the military power we needed."

I've visited Vietnam twice -- for a total of about 4 weeks -- in the last 14 years. I found many examples of free enterprise, even in 1995. By 2007, it was even more evident. Although Vietnam still has a communist system, just like China, it is gradually becoming a capitalistic economy.

Disclosure: I've always been a dove about the Vietnam War.

One thing they differ on after the war is communism. During the war, hawks painted the picture of the Commies coming down to take over the world, and doves saw the war much as a peasant revolt against corrupt politicans, the US (and France), and their lackeys.

In truth, the Soviets and the Chinese only gave minor support to the NVN.

To analyze how the country polarized politically around the meanings and lessons of the Vietnam War, it is important to examine the perspectives of both hawks and doves. Hawks were individuals who generally supported U.S. military intervention and believed in a more aggressive approach, while doves leaned towards a peaceful resolution and were critical of military action.

1. Lessons for Hawks:
- Hawks viewed the Vietnam War as a noble cause that America had a responsibility to win. They believed that the United States had a duty to contain the spread of communism and maintain its position as a global superpower.
- Hawks saw the defeat in Vietnam as a result of limited military engagement, political restraints, and the lack of a clear objective. They believed that a more aggressive approach, with greater military force, would have led to victory.
- The hawks also argued that political divisions and protests against the war weakened American resolve and undermined the military efforts. They saw the anti-war movement as a disruption that hindered the effectiveness of the U.S. military.

2. Lessons for Doves:
- Doves saw the Vietnam War as an unnecessary and unjust conflict. They argued that American involvement in a civil war in a distant country was not in the best interest of the United States.
- Doves believed that the war was a mistake and that diplomatic negotiations should have been pursued instead. They saw the U.S. military intervention as a violation of Vietnam's sovereignty and an example of imperialism.
- The defeat in Vietnam reinforced the dove perspective that military intervention often leads to costly and deadly engagements without achieving the desired objectives. They argued for a more cautious approach to foreign policy, prioritizing peaceful resolutions and non-interventionism.

The polarization around the meanings and lessons of the Vietnam War was significant. Hawks tended to emphasize the importance of military might and interventionism to protect American interests and maintain global influence. On the other hand, doves focused on the need for peaceful resolutions, prioritizing diplomacy and avoiding unnecessary military engagements. These divergent viewpoints contributed to deep political divisions and ongoing debates over U.S. foreign policy for years to come. It is important to note that not all individuals neatly fit into the categories of hawk or dove, as perspectives on the war varied across the American population.