The Lessons of the Vietnam War
Compare and Contrast the American Revolution and
Vietnam Wars
One of the most commonly used critical thinking skills in social studies is that of comparing and
contrasting. Students can apply this skill to the analysis of two historical events in order to
identify common attributes. Processing skills which are often related to comparing and
contrasting are: classifying, seriating, observing, generalizing.
Student Activities
- Have students read the poems Christmas and Guerilla War orally. Discuss the meaning of
various words and phrases to insure comprehension. Words to define in Christmas include
Hessian, rebels, hamlets, barren, desertion, levy, exile, deformity, morrow, Trenton. Words to
define in the poem Guerilla War include civilians, Vietcong, grenades, and satchel
charges.
- Have students use the two readings and other sources to complete a comparison chart. Upon completing the chart the students should be able to
make some generalizations about guerilla wars. Discuss the charts in class.
- Using the readings and other sources, explain how the Vietnam
War compares to the American Revolution in terms of:
- combat conditions
- fighting tactics
- causes of war
- results of conflict
Be prepared to defend your comparison with
facts and specifics.
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