Final answer:
The Fulbright hearings exposed U.S. military atrocities in Vietnam, affecting the nation's moral standing. They underlined the ideological battle between communism and democracy during the Cold War, which influenced U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Additionally, President Diem's government intensified Vietnam's internal unrest through repressive and corrupt practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fulbright hearings highlighted the deep disconnect between the U.S. government's optimistic portrayal of the war in Vietnam and the harsh realities experienced by soldiers on the ground. John Kerry's testimony, in particular, revealed allegations of war crimes and atrocities committed by U.S. troops, suggesting that these actions compromised American values and could threaten the nation's moral standing. The hearings contributed to shifting public opinion against the war and further exposed the 'credibility gap' between official government statements and the conditions reported by journalists and returning veterans.
Communism versus democracy during the Cold War created an ideological impetus for the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The United States was committed to containing the spread of communism and saw its role in Vietnam as part of a larger struggle to promote and defend democratic ideals against communist expansion. This geopolitical and ideological confrontation was a decisive factor in U.S. foreign policy decisions of that era.
The government of President Diem contributed to the unrest in Vietnam by alienating significant portions of the population through policies perceived as oppressive, discriminatory, and corrupt. His government's lack of political inclusiveness and repression of opposition, particularly the Buddhist majority, intensified the internal conflict, which in turn played a role in destabilizing the country and escalating the conflict.