For some it was all about knowledge and enlightenment. For others it was the drive to prove that they were not puppets under the puppet master. But to the masses it was just what the other kids were doing. Yet ultimately, regardless of what they represented, the youth counterculture of the 1970s was quite powerful. Who would have thought that young people, who in all previous wars had heeded the call of their parents, would now reject and abandon their ideals and almost form their own sect in the political spectrum? To give a proper analysis, to give an examination of the Vietnam Counterculture, one should look at the preliminary causes, the debates and diplomacy of the youth themselves, and the reflection where this has influenced the youth of today. Given the volatile conditions of the Vietnam War, protesters believed they should not be involved in a war they cared so little about. Public opinion swayed heavily during the war as only one senator dissented from the overwhelming pro-war opinion (Amter 45). However, when President Johnson escalated the war and the draft increased by 25% in 1968, the young enlisted men became enraged (Dougan 118). Not only that, the North Vietnamese began a ruthless offensive against American soldiers by mercilessly attacking our bases. This resulted in US victories, but also US losses (Dougan 116). Additionally, Marines stationed at the bases began using offensive strikes to deter the Viet Cong assault against General Taylor's wishes (Karnov 443). With this new, less defensive strategy, Nixon announced plans to launch operations in Cambodia and increase overall bombing in Southeast Asia (Dougan 180). Some missions have even begun...... middle of paper...... even foreign policy. We are now less violent towards other cultures and governments that simply don't make sense. The Counterculture may not have directly caused any diplomacy, but this belief has been implemented into virtually everything America does anymore, such as with the United Nations, relief efforts, and increasing well-being for our own people. To give a fair analysis, to give When examining Vietnam's counterculture, one should look at the preliminary causes, the debates and diplomacy of the youth themselves, and reflect on where this has influenced today's youth. I am proud to say that as an American I am proud of the simple origins of the philosophy of peace and love. Along with the causes of freedom, comes a cause for peace and love. Simply put, why can't we be friends? Why can't we love our neighbors around the world? Why not peace and love?