Interpreting the Past: Blame for the War

Interpreting the Past: Blame for the War

One of the main jobs of historians is to interpret the past by reviewing primary documents, scholarly secondary sources, and then creating an analysis of this research. After reading your text and reviewing the assigned materials, submit an analysis of presidential influence in the Vietnam War.

You might want to consider the following questions, but you are not limited to them: While all presidents involved muddied the waters in Vietnam, which do you feel has the most culpability for the war and the outcome? Why? What decisions were made that you feel made the war more difficult for the troops to either fight or win?

This assignment should be at least 300 words and contain your reactions or questions about some 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.