The Message Behind The Music

"Compelled
Can we clean up this mess
The loss of loved ones
A perverse request
They continue the same rhetoric
These derelicts that profit
Win or lose"

Similar to the many songs that we heard in class about the Vietnam Conflict, these lyrics from the song "Prophets of War" by Dream Theater contain a much deeper message than what it heard. These words speak of the hate brought about by the current conflict in the Middle East. It claims that we are simply trying to clean up a mess, and that the death of our loved ones is an awful thing to ask. These lyrics also make point to take a small shot at the politicians in our country who continually try to keep our troops overseas. The song points out that they are crooks, and should not be the ones deciding the fate of our loved ones. Just like the music of the Vietnam era, these words are at the heart of a revolution. Perhaps not on the same scale as what happened in the '60s, but the meaning is the same.

Topic 12!

Truman Doctrine:
-1947. 
- Provide military and economic aid to fight communism around the globe.
-Stop the spread of communism at all costs.

Containment Policy:

- Contain communism around the globe.

-Using economic, military, and other means.

-Led us into multiple armed conflicts in foreign countries.

-We are still in Korea at this time due to this.

U.S. Foreign Policy (Korea & Vietnam)

- Went into Korea to help support the free Koreans and push the communists out.

-Ended up doing so, and providing long term support.

-Still train South Korean troops, and are present on the border of North and South Korea.

-Went into Vietnam with similar intentions, however had a different outcome.

-Guerrilla warfare led to the U.S. troops being at a loss in Vietnam.

-Lacked support at home.

-Ended up leaving Vietnam with little accomplished.

 
Intervention

-We intervened around the globe in order to slow the spread of communism.

-Examples are found in: Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba.

Cold War Development

- Fear of communism

-Fear that the Soviet Union would be come as "advanced" as the United States.

-Involved the Space Race, which led to the US landing on the moon.

-Also lead to a nuclear arms race, which saw both countries develop large nuclear arsenals. 

-Led to Cuban Missile Crisis.

WWII Foreign Policy vs Post WWII Foreign Policy

- Before WWII= At all costs.

-After WWII= Limited warfare

-A limited war does not utilize all the resources of the country.

-Limited wars are very long, and hard to win.

Examples of Containment in Europe

-The Berlin airlift.

-The division of Berlin

-Marshall Plan

Main Points of Division of Germany

- East Germany was communist under the rule of the USSR. 

-West Germany was free and governed by France, Great Britain, and the US

-Berlin was also divided in the same manor.

Douglas MacArthur Dismissal

- MacArthur did not listen to orders from President Truman.

-Truman feared that MacArthur was becoming too powerful.

-Rather than deal with insubordination and a power struggle, Truman replaced him.

Korean War Similarities with Persian Gulf War

- Both supported but not fully fought by the United States.

-Both in an attempt to stop invading communist countries from gaining control of a country.

Nuclear Test Ban

- In August 1963, nuclear able countries agreed to stop the testing of Nuclear weapons.

-Testing did not truly stop until 1998.

Long Term Effects of Vietnam

-Countries around the world knowing how committed the United States is to stopping communism.

-The realization that a limited war is not easy to win or fight.

-Make the United States cautious to become involved in foreign conflicts.

Peace Corps

-An American organization developed to help developing nations.

-Brings education

-Also brings better image of the United States to developing nations.

-Very present in many third world countries.

End of Cold War

-The Cold War was brought to an end with the Fall of the Berlin wall in Germany. 

Domino Theory

-Communism can spread like domino's.

-When one country becomes communist, many of the surrounding nations become more likely to fall to communism.

Nixon's Détente

- Easing tensions between the Soviets and U.S.

-One of the most important policies of the Nixon presidency. 

The Media then, the Media Now..

In the days of the Vietnam and the Korean War, the media had a certain way which they discussed the conflicts. There was a certain sense of patronization, and cynicism in the writing of the media at that time. It was never the case that one would read a story in full fledge support of the war. The media always showed the public the worst that was happening overseas. On the news at night there would never be pictures of triumphant soldiers or the daily lives of these men. All that was to be seen was the dead bodies; the children, the civilians, mutilated in the streets. The pure evil did exist there, but there was much that was not evil, and yet was never seen by the public.

Another point that differs from the medias past and present is their approach to the issues. In todays day and age the media constantly looks at the issues from a political perspective. There is always something that can be related to the current political situation in our country and thus used to rip apart said politicians. 50 years ago, the media had more important things to discuss.This is not to say that they left politics out of their stories, it is only meant to say that politics was not the main point.

Tweet, Tweet.

From the Twitter Account of President John F. Kennedy.

Mr. Prez

Castro in power in Cuba, what great news for the American Public

1/1/58 14:02

Mr. Prez

Soviets are at it again... What is it about these godforsaken COMMUNISTS! 

12/19/60 14:45

Mr. Prez
So much for diplomacy with Cuba.
1/3/61 8:04AM

 Mr. Prez
We are not going to get involved in Cuba, lets just let the Cubans handle this one.
4/16/61 5:04PM

 Mr. Prez
Just got a very disturbing memo from the men at the CIA... What now?
8/10/62 6:45AM
 Mr. Prez
I guess this is it, i did what i had to for the good of my people. Pono will be restored my people.
8/10/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
Pressure on all fronts to take action in Cuba, i know that something must be done, but how will the public feel about war..
8/31/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
Tomorrow is the day.. we will finally know for sure what is going on in Cuba.
10/8/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
Keating was right... Time to take action.
8/14/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
We're all ready for action.. the ball is in Khrushchev's court now.
8/25/62 10:45AM


Mr. Prez
Last minute deal has been made.. Crisis averted. 
8/28/62 7:45AM