The USA’s Cold War in Asia Exam focus: Edexcel Elizabeth Francis Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

Planning your essay This resource provides an essay plan for a sample Edexcel-style question for 2H.2: The USA, 1955–92, conformity and challenge. The first step is to look at the question carefully. ‘The Vietnam War was the main reason for the development of a protest movement in the USA from 1963–72.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

Introduction and conclusion Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Introduction: Demonstrate your contextual knowledge of the period Show that you know there are two sides to this debate State what your judgement is — to what extent was it the main reason? In an essay question of this sort it is important to give a balanced argument with both sides of the argument shown You will need to explore the factor in the question as well as others factors You must reach a judgement Conclusion: Summarise the factors discussed Make your judgement clear and make clear reference to the question ‘The Vietnam War was the main reason for the development of a protest movement in the USA from 1963–72.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

Arguments which agree Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Arguments which agree that the Vietnam War was the most important reason for the development of a protest movement in the USA from 1963–72 In the beginning the war was popular, but after full-scale escalation the American population began to lose faith in the cause The role of the media influenced the development of a protest movement against the war in Vietnam The role of returning veterans highlighting the horrors of war Links to the student movement of the 1970s and the peace counterculture — Kent State massacre Links to the civil rights movement and the disproportionate number of African Americans losing their lives — role of Martin Luther King and celebrities such as Muhammed Ali Woodstock and the link to the pacifist movement The war catalysed a protest movement and also showed links to other issues people found cause to protest about during this period Links to spending on warfare Start by giving arguments which agree with the factor stated in the question

Arguments which disagree Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Factors which suggest that it was reasons beyond the Vietnam War which contributed to the development of a protest movement Civil rights — significance of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and the Black Panthers, including the campaigns in Selma and Chicago The impact of the assassination of Martin Luther King Protest and personal freedom — student protest, counterculture and its key features Growth of the women’s movement and the impact of sexual liberalisation as well as the origins of gay rights Johnson’s Great Society (1964–68) tackling poverty and unemployment, improving housing and education, Medicare and Medicaid, civil rights laws, Johnson’s achievement — this demonstrated the impact of protest and the development of reform Nixon’s appeal and the attack he made on the Great Society Then move onto arguments which are against the factor given in the question. Each of these points can be explored in detail