Understand the origins and consequences of the Vietnam War; explain the role of the media in American politics; analyze the impact of political changes brought about by the media; analyze the importance of free speech and press in a democratic society.

The Vietnam War (1962–1975) was the first televised war. Every day, news broadcasts reached into homes across the country, delivering powerful images of the conflict abroad and the protests at home. In the early years, media coverage focused primarily on the violent behavior of anti-war protestors, regarded by many as unpatriotic individuals whose actions were detrimental to the war effort. That all changed in January 1968 with the uncensored coverage of the fierce North Vietnamese military campaign known as the Tet Offensive. Reports included footage of hand-to-hand combat with knives, rifles, grenades, and bombs. Public opinion, once srongly in favor of the war, shifted against the war. From this point on, previously marginalized demonstrators and anti-war opinion makers held center stage.

• CA  11.9: 3, 4; 12.3: 1, 2; 12.8: 1, 2, 3 Historical Interpretation: 1
• TX  113.32(18): a; 113.32(24): b, g; 113.35(3): a, b; 113.35(16): b; 113.35(17): a-c; 113.35(21): c; 113.38(1): d
• FL  SS.A.5.4: 6, 8; SS.C.1.4: 4; SS.C.2.4: 1-3
• NCSS  II(HS): b, e, f; V(HS): a; IX(HS): b; X(HS): e, g

2 class periods

• Activity Sheet, Media Coverage of the Vietnam War in the 1960s
• Timeline, Life in the United States, 1960–1990 
• Map, Vietnam War 
• Graphic Organizer, Cause and Effect Chart
• Research Report Rubric

Use the instructions below to guide students in writing a Research Report.

How did media coverage influence public opinion during the Vietnam War?

Cause and Effect Students will write a Research Report in which they explore media coverage during the Vietnam War. Students will research the nature of media coverage throughout the course of the conflict, and how it shaped public opinion.

Have students research the topic using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

Vietnam, 1966: A U.S. Marine Corps tank on the move.

To start students thinking about the role off the media during the Vietnam War, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What does this photograph convey about the setting of the Vietnam War?
• How might televised images of war have affected viewers

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Tell students that they will research the following topics, keeping in mind the relationship between the media and public opinion

• U.S. at War
• Start of the Vietnam War
• Who Served?
• The Tet Offensive
• The Protest Movement
• Campus Protests and Responses
• Media Coverage

Remind students that their Research Report should include specific details about media coverage of the major conflicts and events of the war. Students should address the reasons for the turning point in public opinion, and the effect of uncensored footage on American viewers

Use the Research Report Rubric to assess students’ performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria

Ask students: Can the media ever be truly unbiased?

News Broadcast Have students use Daily Life through History to conduct research and create a news broadcast covering the Korean War.

Critical Thinking: APPLY