Dominoes, Draft Cards, and Dissent: The Vietnam Era

In “Dominoes, Draft Cards, and Dissent,” APUSH for ALL explores the Vietnam War’s tangled origins, brutal realities, and lasting consequences. The episode traces U.S. involvement from French colonialism to the Fall of Saigon, highlighting pivotal events like the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Tet Offensive, and Vietnamization. It dives into draft resistance, protest culture, and the growing “credibility gap” between government and citizens. Through voices of veterans, protesters, and presidents, the hosts examine how Vietnam reshaped American identity, foreign policy, and trust in leadership. Connecting the past to today, the episode asks: What does a “just war” really look like?