Source Sets / U.S. History
Why did American support for the Vietnam War change?
From the Tonkin Gulf Resolution and the 1954 Geneva accords to President Johnson's own words, protest, the Pentagon Papers case, and the War Powers Resolution.
Teach it
✓ Lesson readyA ready-to-run lesson for this set: Role-Play: Town Hall, 1968. Slides include a hook, one slide per source, directions, a take-a-stand vote, an exit ticket, and a teacher script in the speaker notes.
1. Hook: look closely 3-5 min
Show: Large crowd of anti-Vietnam War protesters around the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument during the March on the Pentagon, October 21, 1967 (1967, Library of Congress)
Ask: This crowd gathered in Washington, D.C., to protest the Vietnam War. In 1964 most Americans supported the war. What changed?
2. Main activity: Role-Play: Town Hall, 1968
Grouping: Six roles in groups of 4 to 5; the teacher (or a student) acts as the town hall moderator
Setup: It is April 1968, shortly after President Johnson announced he would not run again. A town hall asks: “Should the United States stay in Vietnam?” Each group speaks for a real point of view from the time, using the sources. Note: the Pentagon Papers (1971) and the War Powers Resolution (1973) come later; they are used in the follow-up.
Materials (printables are in the Lesson Plan Doc)
- Role cards (printable pages in the Lesson Plan Doc)
- Evidence cards for all 6 sources
- Town hall notes sheet
- Assign roles 5 min
Hand out role cards. Groups read their source excerpts. - Prepare 8 min
Each group writes a 60-second statement and one question for another group. - Town hall 15 min
Each group speaks. After each statement, one other group may ask its question. - Fast forward 7 min
Reveal two later sources: the Pentagon Papers case (1971) and the War Powers Resolution (1973). Ask: How did these change the relationship between government and the public? - Take a stand 5 min
Use the vote slide. - Exit ticket 5 min
Students answer on a slip before leaving. - Buffer 5 min
Use extra time for one more round of town hall questions.
Take a stand: What did most to change American support for the Vietnam War?
- Events in the war itself: A long war with rising casualties and no clear end; by 1968 even the President chose not to seek reelection.
- Trust in government: Americans learned more about decisions made in secret (the Pentagon Papers), and Congress passed the War Powers Resolution to limit the President.
3. Pacing options
15-minute bell-ringer
- 3 min Hook: protest photograph
- 8 min Compare the Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964) with Johnson’s 1968 address: what changed in four years?
- 4 min Exit ticket question 1
Full 50-minute lesson
- 4 min Hook: photograph
- 5 min Assign roles
- 8 min Prepare
- 15 min Town hall
- 7 min Fast forward to 1971-73
- 6 min Vote and exit ticket
- 5 min Buffer
4. Exit ticket
- Name one source that shows support for the war changing. Explain what changed.
- The War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973. What problem from 1964 was it trying to fix?
5. Differentiation
Support
- Adapted Docs (easier reading) in this set: Tonkin Gulf Resolution
- Give each group a sentence starter: “As a ___, I believe the U.S. should ___ because ___.”
- Let students read statements from their role cards.
Extension
- Research the two senators who voted against the Tonkin Gulf Resolution and their reasons.
- Read the Pentagon Papers decision. Why did the newspapers win?
Suggested sequence
- Tonkin Gulf ResolutionDocument · National Archives · Cold War (1945-1991) · Grades 9-12 · ⏱ 5 min1964 resolution expanding presidential war powers.Ask: Did Congress give away its war powers?Open with this source to frame the question.
- Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Viet-Nam (1954)Document · Yale Avalon Project · Cold War (1945-1991) · Grades 9-12 · ⏱ 20 minThe Geneva agreement dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel.Ask: Why did a 'temporary' division last two decades?
- New York Times Co. v. United StatesCourt case · Oyez · Cold War (1945-1991) · Grades 9-12 · ⏱ 10 min1971 Pentagon Papers case on prior restraint.Ask: Should the government be able to stop publication of secrets?
- Large crowd of anti-Vietnam War protesters around the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument during the March on the Pentagon, October 21, 1967Photograph · Library of Congress · Cold War (1945-1991) · Grades 9-12 · ⏱ 5 minLibrary of Congress photograph: Large crowd of anti-Vietnam War protesters around the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument during the March on the Pentagon, October 21, 1967. 1 photograph : safety negative ; film width 35mm (roll format)Ask: Why did opposition to the Vietnam War grow in the late 1960s?
- Lyndon B. Johnson, Address on Not Seeking Re-electionVideo · UVA Miller Center · Cold War (1945-1991) · Grades 9-12 · ⏱ 30+ minLBJ's March 31, 1968 address on Vietnam and his decision not to run again.Ask: Why did Johnson step aside in 1968?
- War Powers Resolution (1973)Document · Yale Avalon Project · Modern America (1970-present) · Grades 9-12 · ⏱ 15 minThe law limiting the president's power to commit troops without Congress.Ask: Who should decide when the U.S. goes to war?Close with this source before writing.
Watch
Free videos to pair with this set. Preview before showing in class.
- ▶ Showdown in Vietnam (Universal Newsreel, 1965)Internet Archive · free, no login
- ▶ Johnson on Vietnam (Universal Newsreel, 1965)Internet Archive · free, no login
- ▶ Peace March: Thousands Oppose Vietnam War (Universal Newsreel, 1967)Internet Archive · free, no login
Teach with (more from Hillsdale): Unit 7: Post-War America (1945-1974) (free K-12 curriculum unit)
Culminating writing prompt
Using evidence from at least three sources in this set, write an argument that answers the question: “Why did American support for the Vietnam War change?” Cite each source by title, explain how its author, audience, and purpose affect its reliability, and respond to at least one counterargument.
Printable writing sheet (make a copy)
Students can plan with the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning organizer.