Question

How did the nightly news coverage of the Vietnam War on television help?

1) raise Johnson's ratings in the polls
2) unify Americans behind the war
3) create a credibility gap
4) support the nation's 'hawks'

Answer 1

The nightly news coverage of the Vietnam War on television did not raise Johnson's ratings, unify Americans behind the war, or support the nation's 'hawks'. Instead, it heightened concern about the war, fueled protests, created a credibility gap, and bolstered opposition to the war.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nightly news coverage of the Vietnam War on television had several impacts:

1. It did not raise Johnson's ratings in the polls: Television coverage of the war actually heightened the nation's growing concern about the war, contradicting the optimistic war scenario projected by the Johnson administration.
2. It did not unify Americans behind the war: The coverage showcased the brutal realities of the war, causing many Americans to question America's role in Vietnam and leading to antiwar protests. The divide between those who strongly opposed the war (the doves) and those who felt American military force was necessary (the hawks) grew wider.
3. It created a credibility gap: The government's positive reports of progress in the war did not align with the constant images of Americans dying and the reality on the ground in Vietnam. This discrepancy in information eroded public trust in the government and created a credibility gap.
4. It did not support the nation's 'hawks': The coverage actually bolstered opposition to the war, as seen in Walter Cronkite's commentary following the Tet Offensive, which expressed concern about the war ending in a stalemate.