1. Opposing views on the Vietnam war

2. PURPOSE:
Understand Richard Nixon’s policies concerning the Vietnam War in 1969
Understand the main arguments of Vietnam veteran John Kerry and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War in 1971
Understand that civilians held a variety of opinions regarding the war

3. As you are watching the Nixon “Silent Majority” speech, answer the following:
What did Nixon believe would be the consequences of immediate U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam?
What specific events did Nixon cite to support his arguments against “precipitate troop withdrawal”?
What is meant by the “Silent Majority”?

4. As you read the John Kerry testimony, answer the following:
What did John Kerry believe about the alleged threat that North Vietnam posed to the United States?
What did John Kerry believe were the results of Nixon’s policies as spelled out in the 1969 “Silent Majority” speech?
What did John Kerry think of the policy of “Vietnamization”?

5. Vietnam dialogue assignment
You will partner up with one other student, and using the Nixon speech and Kerry testimony:
-type up a one and a half page dialogue, single spaced
-one of you has been drafted for the war; one of you has received a deferment for the war
-one student will pretend he/she is in favor of the war; one student will pretend he/she is opposed to the war
-in this conversation, provide reactions to be being drafted and to receiving a deferment
-students should justify his/her opinion about the war
-students need to use examples from the both Nixon speech and Kerry testimony in your conversation

6. General scoring rubric
9 – 10 -Vietnam dialogue is one and a half pages
-clear, accurate, and thoughtful written dialogue that expresses the opinion that the student is role-playing; opinions are well-developed; dialogue shows commitment to one’s position
-several examples from the “Silent Majority” and Kerry testimony are used
8 -Vietnam dialogue is one and a half pages
-clear and accurate written dialogue that expresses the opinion that the student is role-playing; opinions are well-developed
7 -Vietnam dialogue is one page in length
-written dialogue expresses the opinion that the student is role-playing; opinions are somewhat well-developed
-a few examples from the “Silent Majority” and Kerry testimony are used