Public opinion has always played a crucial role in any war. This can determine if a president is re-elected or not. An example of this is Lyndon B. Johnson, who in 1967, the year before an election year, traveled to Vietnam and declared a victory. The public wanted a victory, and if Johnson did not produce one, he knew he did not stand a chance of re-election. In 1968, Johnson did not run for president again because of the continuance of the war in Vietnam. Democratic nominee, Richard Nixon, used Johnson’s failure to help him gain election. He promised a quick, decisive end to the war. In his Republican nomination acceptance spe

Over the past fifty years, the United States have followed similar patterns when fighting wars, from military decisions to public opinion. Every aspect of war is a key component and often can be traced back to Vietnam or further back. It is crucial that the president is aware of previous policy when making current decisions. Vietnam was a stepping-stone in American policy. Overall, public opinion constrains, but does not set, American foreign intervention policy.

Public Opinion can also be used to enter the U.S. into war, such as in World War Two and Pearl Harbor. In Vietnam, the Tonkin Gulf incident fueled the United States to enter the war. When the enemy was attacking United States ships, Americans wanted revenge. Benchmarks like this, help presidents justify escalating wars. Public sentiment increases as soon as American lives are lost, especially civilian lives. Another example of this was the September 11th attacks. Many Americans were eager to get revenge on Osama Bin Laddin and Middle Eastern terrorist counties. Because of the attack on innocent American lives, as well as the fear of possible nuclear arms in Iraq, America declared war on Iraq.

Public opinion can be used to force withdraw of troops from overseas. By 1973 there was a consensus that Americans wanted the troops to be sent home, even with the threat of communism in South Vietnam. In a Gallup poll in September 1965 only twenty four percent of Americans said the Vietnam War was a mistake, by May 1973, sixty percent felt it was a mistake. After the cease-fire in January 1973, there was an even stronger sentiment for troops to be fully withdrawn from South-East Asia than before. Even in 1974, when there were continued North Vietnamese advances, the American people did not support reintroduction of United States military action. All United States ground troops had been pulled out of Vietnam by March 1973. The people in the U.S. used their voting power to get Congress to take troops out of Vietnam. Citizens understood the power they held and how to get their voices heard in Congress. Any Congress member running for another term did not want to go against the sentiment of the American people, because that would be lethal for his career at the voting booths. This system of power of the people is often used on many issues, not just war. During this time the Post-Vietnam Syndrome was formed. The U.S. did not want to get involved in another land war in South-East Asia, especially one highly unpopular with the public. The Post-Vietnam Syndrome was extremely limiting for future actions of the government. Interventions in Angola, Lebanon and Central America were problematic because of Vietnam. The public was leaning towards anti-intervention, almost isolation sentiments. “The public’s ultimate refusal to support an extension of the U.S. military action in Vietnam was a powerful reminder to policymakers and the military that public support was in the end decisive in determining the duration of military interventionist foreign policy. Public opinion could also be used to de-escalate wars, other than just bringing troops home. Often funds are cut, aid is decreased and military help is drawn back. In 1968, after Tet, Lyndon Johnson made a decision to de-escalate the war in Vietnam. Public opinion was down, and protests were increasing. Nixon made a speech in November 1969, called the Silent Majority speech, which created leeway for continuing the war. In this speech he explained why the United States was still in Vietnam and explain his method of phased withdrawal of the troops. After the speech seventy seven percent of Americans approved of Nixon’s handling of the war. Nixon continued the troop withdrawal of 150,000 soldiers in April 1970 while intensifying the bombing in North Vietnam. The Silent Majority Speech contributed enough support to continue the war during the Nixon years.

Even the most pro-war politicians eventua

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