Description
The purpose of this thesis is to take control of the past by presenting an alternative history on the war in Vietnam and the antiwar movement. This thesis demystifies the study of the war in Vietnam by looking at historical evidence. The evidence includes the study of the French colonization of Vietnam, French Indochina War, Geneva Peace Accords, Pentagon Papers, and tactics used by the U.S. in waging the war on the Vietnamese people and their country. In addition, this thesis examines the largest anti-war movement experienced in U.S. history by presenting the tactics used by various antiwar groups. Last, the thesis will present how art and art collectives played a crucial role during the movement. This thesis presents antiwar artwork produced during the movement and demonstrates how political posters became the most effective means of protest. Taken as a whole, this thesis lies at the intersection of three themes. First, in order to understand the truth about the present, the war on terror, we need to reveal the truth about past wars. Second, in order to assert our collective power, we need to understand that in the past, collectively, we have changed things for the better. Finally, we need to understand how the power of art and its images can be a tool for the struggle for social change, truth, and a just society.
