Final answer:
The government's indecision on releasing the Pentagon Papers developed ideas about the tension between public knowledge and national security, contributing to a credibility gap and public disillusionment with the Vietnam War effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's discussion of the government's indecision regarding the release of the Pentagon Papers contributes to the development of ideas by highlighting the tension between the public's right to know and national security. When the government attempted to stop the New York Times from publishing more articles based on the Pentagon Papers, it sparked a legal battle that culminated in a landmark Supreme Court decision. This ruling underscored the limited circumstances under which the government can use prior restraint to censor information. The Supreme Court held that national security was not at risk in this case, allowing further publication and contributing to a growing credibility gap between the government's statements and the realities of the Vietnam War. The released information gave the public new insights into government actions and decisions, such as the Johnson administration's intent to expand the U.S. role in Vietnam and the misleading information about the success of bombing campaigns in North Vietnam, all of which were previously unknown. It contributed to an increased public awareness of government misinformation and to an emerging consensus that it was critical to end the war. The events following the discussion of the government's indecision illustrate the complexities of government transparency, press freedom, and public perception during wartime.