The Century, America's Time: Approaching the Apocalypse (3 of 3)
Summary
TLDRThe script recounts the experiences of American POWs during the Vietnam War, their release during peace negotiations, and the public's mixed response to their return. It delves into the disillusionment following the war, the Watergate scandal that led to Nixon's resignation, and the fall of Saigon in 1975. The narrative captures the emotional turmoil of the era, reflecting on the loss and the impact of these events on American society and its perception of the presidency.
Takeaways
- 📢 The script recounts the experience of prisoners of war (POWs) who were subjected to propaganda broadcasts by their captors, highlighting the psychological impact of war on individuals.
- 🌕 The POWs learned about the moon landing through their captors' broadcasts, which was a moment of celebration and unity among them, despite their captivity.
- 🏠 Many POWs felt a sense of alienation and discomfort upon returning home, as they struggled to reintegrate into society and deal with the aftermath of their experiences.
- 🎉 The return of American POWs was a moment of national relief and celebration, contrasting with the general public's indifference towards the Vietnam War.
- 🏛️ President Nixon's White House hosted a celebration for the POWs, indicating a high point of his administration before the Watergate scandal unfolded.
- 💼 The Watergate scandal deeply affected American politics, leading to a loss of trust in the government and a series of investigations into the Nixon administration.
- 📺 The Watergate hearings were a public spectacle, drawing large audiences and revealing the extent of political corruption and misconduct.
- 🔍 The relentless pursuit by Congress and the press exposed the Nixon administration's wrongdoings, contributing to the eventual resignation of President Nixon.
- 🚨 Vice President Agnew's resignation due to separate charges of extortion, bribery, and tax evasion added to the turmoil within the Nixon administration.
- 📢 Nixon's infamous statement 'I am not a crook' during a press conference underscored the public's skepticism and the gravity of the allegations against him.
- 🏳️ The fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese forces symbolized the end of the Vietnam War and a period of national introspection for the United States.
Q & A
What was the significance of the loudspeaker broadcasts for prisoners of war?
-The loudspeaker broadcasts were a form of psychological warfare, used to inform the prisoners of war about the ongoing peace negotiations and to criticize the United States' policies, particularly their bombing campaigns.
How did the prisoners of war react to the news of the moon landing?
-The prisoners of war were surprised and cheered upon hearing about the moon landing, as it was the first they knew about it. This news also served as a point of pride and connection to their home country.
What was the general sentiment towards the Vietnam War among the American public by the end of 1972?
-By the end of 1972, the American public was largely indifferent to the Vietnam War. The economy was booming, and most people were not concerned about the conflict, despite what they might claim in retrospect.
How did returning veterans feel about their reception back home?
-Many returning veterans felt uncomfortable and out of place, as if they did not fit into civilian life. They often felt unwelcome and as if they represented a war that Americans wanted to forget.
What was the reaction to the return of American POWs?
-The return of American POWs was seen as a moment of victory and was met with an outpouring of emotion, support, and celebration from the public, which was overwhelming for the veterans.
What was the significance of President Nixon's White House party for the POWs?
-The White House party was a high point of recognition and honor for the POWs, symbolizing a moment of national unity and appreciation for their sacrifice, despite the political turmoil of the time.
How did the Watergate scandal impact the perception of the Nixon administration?
-The Watergate scandal eroded public trust in the Nixon administration, revealing systemic wrongdoing and corruption at the highest levels of government, which was a shock to many Americans.
What was the role of the press in the Watergate scandal?
-The press played a crucial role in uncovering the Watergate scandal, with journalists relentlessly pursuing the truth and bringing the administration's wrongdoings to light.
How did the resignation of Vice President Agnew affect the Nixon administration?
-Vice President Agnew's resignation due to separate charges of extortion, bribery, and tax evasion added to the sense of crisis and instability within the Nixon administration.
What was President Nixon's response to the mounting evidence of wrongdoing?
-President Nixon attempted to distance himself from the scandal, deny involvement, and rationalize the events. However, the evidence was overwhelming, leading to his eventual resignation.
What was the emotional impact of the fall of Saigon on those who had served in Vietnam?
-The fall of Saigon was a deeply emotional event for those who had served, evoking feelings of sadness, regret, relief, and a sense of loss. It symbolized the end of a long and painful chapter in their lives.
Outlines
📢 POWs and the Vietnam War's Impact on America
This paragraph discusses the daily life of prisoners of war (POWs) during the Vietnam War, their feelings of isolation and the contrast between their captivity and the moon landing, which they learned about from their captors. It also touches on the public's indifference to the war and the challenges faced by returning veterans, who felt disconnected from society. The paragraph concludes with the emotional return of American POWs and their reception by President Nixon at the White House, highlighting the sense of victory amidst a largely forgotten war.
🏛 The Watergate Scandal and Nixon's Downfall
This paragraph delves into the Watergate scandal, which overshadowed the end of the Vietnam War. It describes the unfolding crisis, the subsequent hearings, and the impact on the Nixon administration. The narrative captures the public's fascination with the scandal and the revelation of systemic wrongdoing at the highest levels of government. The paragraph details Nixon's attempts to save his presidency, the resignation of Vice President Agnew, and ultimately, Nixon's own resignation, marking a significant and tragic end to his term.
🚁 The Fall of Saigon and America's Search for Renewal
The final paragraph recounts the fall of Saigon and the evacuation of American personnel and Vietnamese refugees, symbolizing the end of American involvement in Vietnam. It provides a first-hand account of the chaotic scenes during the evacuation and the emotional response of those involved. The paragraph reflects on the deep sense of loss and the broader implications for America's national confidence and unity. It concludes with a look forward to the 1970s, a decade marked by a desire to recover and redefine America's purpose in the world.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Loudspeaker
💡Peace negotiations
💡Hanoi Hannah
💡Moon-landing
💡Vietnam War
💡Watergate
💡President Nixon
💡POWs (Prisoners of War)
💡Fall of Vietnam
💡National purpose
💡Peter Jennings
Highlights
Prisoners of war were scolded about bombings by their captors and Hanoi Hannah.
The United States was criticized for bombing innocent civilians and continuing belligerent policies despite the moon landing plaque's message of peace.
The moon landing was first announced to the prisoners, sparking cheers throughout the camp.
Some prisoners of war spent their seventh Christmas in captivity with no guarantee of release.
The end of the Vietnam War was met with indifference by the American public, who were prospering economically and not focused on the war.
Veterans returning from Vietnam felt disconnected and uncomfortable, often feeling unwelcome in civilian life.
The return of American POWs was a moment of victory, with overwhelming public support and emotion.
President Nixon invited POWs to the White House, marking a high point in his administration before the Watergate scandal.
The Watergate scandal involved break-ins, spying on anti-war activists, and punishing political enemies.
Watergate hearings brought numerous White House aides to testify, revealing systemic wrongdoing.
President Nixon's actions were compared to the actions of private sensors, with no knowledge of planning for the Watergate break-in.
The Nixon administration was in shambles, paralyzed by the need to defend against Watergate allegations.
Vice President Agnew resigned due to a separate scandal involving extortion, bribery, and tax evasion.
President Nixon declared, 'I am not a crook,' in a news conference, a statement that was unprecedented for a U.S. president.
Nixon's resignation was a relief, marking the end of a troubled presidency.
The fall of Saigon in 1975 symbolized the end of the Vietnam War and a tragic loss for the United States.
The final day of the war was marked by a range of emotions, including sadness, regret, and relief, but not happiness.
The fall of Vietnam was seen as the nadir of a humiliating episode in American history, leading to a desire for national recovery and purpose.
Transcripts
there was a loudspeaker every morning
and every afternoon we had an English
broadcast the prisoners of war whose
release had become a crucial part of the
peace negotiations were scolded about
the bombings by their captors and Hanoi
Hannah said how can the United States
continue with their bellicose and
obdurate policies bombing and strafing
innocent women and children churches
hospitals how can they do all that after
they've placed a plaque on the moon
saying we come in peace for all mankind
and everyone said on the moon and that
was the first we knew about our
moon-landing and there were cheers all
the way through the camp after that we'd
point the guards at guards would come up
when we'd go
we point to the moon you know and say us
us
for some prisoners of war it was their
seventh Christmas in captivity at the
end of 1972 there was still no guarantee
they never get home
the end of America's longest war was met
with no celebration in Times Square no
honking of horns on Main Street USA the
day the peace agreement in Vietnam was
signed went by like any other people
were prospering the economy was booming
and most people didn't give a damn about
Vietnam whatever they say now they
really didn't
it was very despairing a very rough
years coming back from that war from
most fence I didn't feel like I fit or
something I wasn't the same person as
person and if you like in civilian it's
hard to explain I was very uncomfortable
coming home very uncomfortable
I'm on a civilian plane I'm flying from
Los Angeles to Newark non-stop and the
gentleman sat down he was in a
three-piece suit he had a briefcase and
he kind of flipped down his tray and he
was going through his briefcase and we
made small talk before we took off you
know Wayne I don't see that where you
coming from my tone Vietnam and as soon
as the sign came on then you were free
to move around the cabin he pushed the
button for the stewardess she came and
he looked up at her and she said can I
help you and he said yes I need another
seat on this airplane as far away from
this gentleman as I can get
returning vets often felt they
represented a war that Americans wanted
to forget but if there was one moment
that felt like a victory it was the
return of the American POWs so we
thought well you know maybe you get your
name in the paper but nothing like that
it was people everywhere we went that
didn't know us we didn't know them
outpourings of motion and feelings tears
it was just overwhelming
it really was
President Nixon invited us to the White
House for a a party at dinner and
everything though many believe we never
could win I joined his work grim but you
had faith in it was a lot of celebrities
and I remembered John Wayne was there so
we're walking around talking with with
the Duke you know was pretty pretty cool
I bet we have now right up into the
sunset with you anytime
it was it was a grand time is fun
it was the next person CF repeat it
ended the reward with honor the POWs
were were there at the White House and
mixi was at 70% it was really the apex I
think of the Nixon administration
and the month of course the Watergate
thing ruptured and broke
the crisis in Vietnam would soon be
replaced by a new crisis at home a
growing scandal stemming from a break-in
at the Democratic National Committee
headquarters in the office complex known
as Watergate hearings on Watergate
dragged one White House aide after
another in front of Congress to answer
questions about systemic wrongdoing in
the highest office in the land Watergate
was certainly a fascinating spectacle
suddenly all the bad things the left had
been saying throughout the Vietnam
protests seemed to be proven true in
spades just about a field will you stand
the televisor he's drew in an enormous
audience use well the ambulance that you
shoot this was the first time the
American people had ever heard that the
present United States did things like
that but I guarantee he knew what the
private sensors had done it didn't all
start with Watergate it was ample
precedent for everything that Nixon did
Nixon got caught there was one
outrageous charge after another
break-ins spying on anti-war activists
punishing political enemies and all of
the millions of words of testimony there
is not the slightest suggestion that I
had any knowledge of the planning for
the Watergate break-in congressional
committees in their battery of lawyers
were bringing the charges closer to the
Oval Office one of the president's
lawyers at the time was Leonard garment
this show of the week month year decade
for young lawyers hello young lawyers
wherever you are and they were drawn by
the excitement of the pursuit of this
the great white whale all these a haps
there was a constant pursuit by Congress
and the press it sometimes seemed the
administration was coming unpinned it
looked that way in New Orleans when
President Nixon shoved press secretary
Ron Ziegler toward a horde of reporters
and Nixon was trying every which way
how could he save his presidency how
could he pin it on somebody else
how could he rationalize what happened
the Nixon White House was in least from
the external and even from the
journalist Bob use in real shambles
they were paralyzed I mean that they
could do nothing but defend against
Watergate and in the middle of all that
the country was subjected to further
signs of collapse I will not resign if
indicted I will not resign if and by in
October of 1973 vice president Agnew the
administration's top spokesman for law
and order did resign after he was
charged with extortion bribery and tax
evasion in a separate scandal all his
own ladies and gentlemen the President
of the United States but even as his
allies were falling around him the
president was determined to finish his
watch
I welcome this kind of examination
because people have got to know whether
or not their presidents a crook well I'm
not a crook
I earned everything I've got imagine a
predator in the United States in a news
conference on to national television say
I am NOT a crook you know you never even
before that ever conceived that a
president might be a crook he just all
began to mount up and ultimately it was
a collapsed good evening this is the
37th time I have spoken to you from this
office where so many to search it was
all to me overwhelming even for the
toughest of battle-scarred politicians
I shall resign the presidency effective
at noon tomorrow we could never take the
presidency quite as seriously again it
may be was purgative it kind of ended
ended that particular unhappy decade the
to hep Nixon resign and they'd rather
blank but the nine figure Gerry Ford
take over
his resignation was a relief
now casting off of an old snakeskin
moving forward
in April of 1975 two years after
American combat troops left Vietnam
North Vietnamese forces reach the
outskirts of Saigon the South Vietnamese
capital an ally the United States had
supported with men and materiel for
nearly two decades was about to fall to
the Communists it's almost like we were
never there now and that's the tragedy
of it I think
on April the 29th there were still more
than a thousand American personnel of
the city they and 6,000 desperate South
Vietnamese were helicoptered out as the
last remnants of American power fled
Saigon
Metron Phil Caputo had returned to
Vietnam as a reporter the North
Vietnamese were shelling consignee
airbase
I remember some of those shells landing
close among the building was just
trembling and somebody said go go go and
I remember running out and just leaping
in this big ch-53 helicopter huge thing
must have been 60 70 maybe 80 Vietnamese
refugees and a few American news men and
full of people from the embassy and in
the helicopter took off
Norma just looking down and just seeing
this this brown in green country then we
cross the coast the site I'll never
forget the seventh Fleet can mustered up
there then we're going to take refugees
out eyes looked at all of this might and
I said we got whipped by a bunch of
peasant guerrillas in the eyes on the
next day victorious North Vietnamese
troops rolled into Saigon
ten o'clock in the morning the radio
allows that you know the South
Vietnamese at surrender and and that was
it you know we hug one another and cried
for me it's a long many long years and
now we see the final day
I felt in a whole range range of
emotions I mean I felt sad I felt
regretful I felt relieved that it was
over maybe they were the one emotion I
didn't feel was any sense of happiness
or or joy I felt a sense of loss like it
stays with you forever Vietnam will be
there until the day I joined the so I
joined the friends of mine who died
before me they think they won't ever go
away
for America the fall of Vietnam would
symbolize the end of an era the post-war
era of confidence unity and optimism
America had found that there were some
burdens too great to bear and some
prices too steep to pay
you
the fall of Vietnam was the nadir of a
humiliating episode in American history
the desire to begin again to recover
some sense of national purpose would
drive American life through the
remaining years of the 1970s that's on
the next episode of the century
America's time and we hope you'll join
us I'm Peter Jennings
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