What the Jungle Said:
The Relationship Between the Vietnam War and Popular Culture
Abstract
Music, protests, and films during the era of the Vietnam War swayed a large enough group of Americans to argue that war was not worth fighting for in Vietnam. Throughout American history, the public has paved a criminal face on Vietnam veterans after the war. Over time, popular culture has educated people that the war had not only physical effects on the soldiers but also psychological effects. To further the efforts of a better societal understanding of the Vietnam War and the soldiers who fought in it, the American public should be well educated on the popular culture during the Vietnam War. Films and songs tell a story through their lines or lyrics, and the truth of history is engraved within them.
About the Author
I am Jess Seaborn, in the Class of 2023, and I plan on attending Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. I am planning on majoring in Economics and having a minor in Finance. Since a young age, I have been interested in the Vietnam War because my grandfather fought in Intelligence. I have a passion for the music and popular culture released during the war, and I immediately knew that it was what I wanted my senior thesis to be on this year. My hope for this thesis was to understand better America's history at war and the effect popular culture can have on war.
