Final answer:
Americans' mistrust of government was exacerbated by the events of the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Iraq War; all of which contributed to public skepticism due to the government's actions and misinformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Americans' mistrust of government was exacerbated by all of the events listed, including the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Iraq War. Each event served to erode public trust in different ways and at different times. However, given that the question format suggests a singular answer, the most comprehensive response would be b. All of the above.
The Vietnam War generated mistrust due to the revelation of atrocities and misleading information from the government, compounded by the release of the Pentagon Papers. Watergate directly impacted Americans' trust by showcasing the use of government power against political rivals and the lengths to which officials would go to cover up illegal activities. Finally, the Iraq War reinvigorated doubts about government integrity with the absence of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and the mishandling of detainee treatment, both significant departures from the public's expectations and the government's assertions.