a presentation of
The Newnan High School History and Social Studies Department
"Today, America can regain the sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by refighting a war that is finished......These events, tragic as they are, portend neither the end of the world nor of America's leadership in the world"
-Gerald Ford, President of the United States, 1974-1976
Welcome to the Vietnam War website, sponsored by the Newnan High School Social Studies Department. The Vietnam War class is an academic elective at Newnan High School, primarily for Juniors and Seniors that are more interested than most in World, American and Military history. This class attempts to examine the military, political and diplomatic history of the war, as well as the context in which it was fought- the cold war and the revolutionary changes of the 1960's themselves. Therefore, topics covered in this class will cover the early history and culture of Vietnam, the French involvement, cold war tension and the nuclear standoff between the USSR and the USA, as well as early steps in American military involvement. We will also cover the United States at war in Vietnam and the mistakes made, the protest movements and the music of the time. We will conclude with the lessons learned as a result of American involvement in Vietnam, the memorials raised and how that conflict haunts American leaders even today.
This class contains no liberal or conservative agenda. If it has any agenda at all, it will be that of the Vietnam servicemen and women...what was their experience in the context of all that was happening at that time? What can we learn from it? Have we applied the lessons learned during that time to the war we are presently engaged in that has many similarities?
"Vietnam is still with us. It has created doubts about American judgment, about American credibility, about American power-not only at home, but throughout the world. It has poisoned our domestic debate. So we paid an exorbitant price for the decisions that were made in good faith and for good purpose."
-Henry Kissinger, Secretary of State
Syllabus Letter to Parents Class Calendar Projects Links Topical Outline Class Visitors
Medal of Honor Recipients from Newnan, Georgia Newnan High School Remembers
Technology Links for Vietnam War Class: Edmodo Glogster Vietnam War Wiki
"You know," Summers told a North Vietnamese colonel after the war, "you never defeated us on the battlefield." to which his communist counterpart replied, "that may be so, but it is also irrelevant."
Quoted in Karnow's Book, Vietnam- A History
Class instructor with MOH recipients Bruce Crandall and Wesley Fox.
The instructor of this class is a member of the Teach Vietnam Teachers Network, part of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Fund. For more information about the network or any of the funds materials and activities, please visit their web site or email the instructor of this class at one of the addresses listed below.
Take this link to a Flash Presentation on Vietnam Veterans and their service!!
Other Links of Interest
Newnan High School Coweta County School
System Newnan
High School History and Social Studies
The World
History Site
Other High School Vietnam Classes and Commemorations
Millbrook High School: Lessons of Vietnam Staples High School Westlake High School
Email Coach
Quesinberry with your questions or comments. Mail Coach Quesinberry
at home or at
school.
This site was last updated on January 5, 2012 and is hosted by Newnan High School History and Social Studies Department, in conjunction with Coweta County Schools located in Newnan, Georgia.