Final answer:
The controversy surrounding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was caused by conflicting opinions about the war and the unconventional design of the memorial by architect Maya Lin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The controversy surrounding the construction and design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was primarily caused by conflicting opinions about the war. The design of the memorial, created by architect Maya Lin, also stirred some controversy due to its black and minimalist appearance, which went against the traditional style of memorial tributes.
The memorial wall itself, a V-shaped wall of granite with the names of every soldier who was killed or missing inscribed in it, became a symbol of remembrance and a model for new and unique memorials.