What Was the Vietnam War Called for the People at Home?

The Vietnam War was a tumultuous period in American history, marked by widespread protests and anti-war sentiment both domestically and abroad. While soldiers were fighting on foreign soil, many Americans back home were grappling with their own feelings about the war. The question of what the war was called for the people at home remains a complex and multifaceted one.

One of the most enduring myths surrounding the Vietnam War is that American soldiers returning from combat were spat upon and insulted by anti-war protesters. This notion has been perpetuated through popular culture, including Hollywood films and print news media. However, sociologist Jerry Lembcke's 1998 book 'The Spitting Image: Myth, Memory and the Legacy of Vietnam' argues that this narrative is largely a myth with little basis in reality.

Lembcke's research suggests that there is no credible evidence to support the claim that anti-war activists spat upon or insulted returning soldiers. Instead, he contends that the Nixon Administration sought to drive a wedge between military servicemembers and the anti-war movement by portraying democratic dissent as a betrayal of the troops. This strategy aimed to undermine the legitimacy of the anti-war movement and discredit those who opposed the war.

Furthermore, Lembcke's book highlights the mutually supportive relationship between veterans and anti-war forces. He notes that many veterans were critical of the war and its conduct, and that some even participated in anti-war protests. The idea that soldiers returning from Vietnam were universally vilified by protesters is a simplistic and inaccurate one.

The popularization of the 'spat-upon' image can be attributed to the role of print news media in perpetuating this narrative. Many news outlets ran sensationalized stories about incidents of spitting and abuse, often without providing credible evidence or context. This has contributed to the widespread acceptance of the myth that American soldiers were spat upon and insulted by anti-war protesters.

In conclusion, while the Vietnam War was a divisive and complex issue for many Americans, it is clear that the narrative surrounding what the war was called for people at home is complicated and often inaccurate. Lembcke's book provides a valuable corrective to this myth, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of the anti-war movement and its relationship with soldiers returning from Vietnam.

What was the vietnam war called for the people at home