Culture and the Cold War

Culture and the Cold War

Question 1

McNamara states that cultural misunderstanding fueled the continuation of the Vietnam War. For instance, due to mistrust by Vietnam over occupation, they were unable to view the Americans as liberators but occupiers. Secondly, Americans had no differential understanding and were full of stereotypes of the Vietnamese. Thus, these cultural differences only fueled distrust and furthered the distance between the two warring sides in the Vietnam war.

Question 2

McNamara’s first description of the Tonkin incident is terming it regrettable. He states that the USS Maddox acted under no authority from the department of defense, defiling all set protocols and guidelines that are meant to safeguard the US military from unnecessary conflict. As a result, the actions of the captain US McNamara provided a reason for the full entry of the US military into the Vietnam war, which it later lost.

Question 3

The director uses primary sources such as video, audio files, and pictures during the presentation of the film. Primary sources are made from real events and occurrences and are thus more convenient and credible sources than secondary sources. Videos used range from conflicts of 1940 to those of 1998. As a result, promoting the credibility and the relevance of the documentary.

Question 4

The sources enhance the credibility of McNamara’s statements. For instance, the audio track on Kennedy’s interview reinforces McNamara’s confession that while the Vietnam conflict was raging on, the president was using all his available means and resources to end the war. Thus, the director uses the sources, not as part of the film but to act as evidence of McNamara’s statements.

Question 5

The video further enhances the materials used in the crash course. It allows for a clear comparison of facts thus, strengthening the ability of individuals to create a picture from the events described in the crash course and other materials, thereby increasing a reader’s ability to discern and distinguish various aspects of the course.