Day 5 – Vietnam War

As this war continued for 20 years a summary of the addresses during this time would be a book not a blog so I am just going to look at the years 1970-1972. For a more in depth look at the Vietnam War read this excellent book The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War.

As I am sure most of you know, Richard Nixon was the President during this time and in 1970 the Vietnam War was still at a stalemate. He did, however, state the end of the War was the goal for that year. Interestingly, his address also stated that it was not the responsibility of the USA to defend or aid other countries (a big turnaround from the addresses during the WWI and WWII years) and he insisted that other nations play a role. He mentioned the desire to develop relations with Russia, China and Poland and the huge growth in the economy although crime, inflation and social unrest were at an all time high and during the 60’s the Government had spent more than it had earned so budget cuts were inevitable. However, Nixon also wanted a complete reform of the welfare system, to make amends for eco pollution with a costly pollution control programme and was going to win the war against crime.

The 1971 address saw no mention of Vietnam and all the acts that had been called for in 1970 were still waiting to be completed. Government departments were to be reduced and again welfare, unemployment, the environment and health care were all mentioned. It was planned to renew local governments to share policy between Federal and State.

The only mention of Vietnam in 1972 was that the USA involvement was coming to an end. The address this year had a completely different flow and feel to it, no doubt as it was an election year. Crime and civil disorders had been reduced during the previous 12 months. Strangely, there was a request to increase the defence budget in order to help other nations with arms. Unemployment was still an issue so a Job Creation Programme was to be implemented and at this time USA workers were the highest paid in the world. There was to be a change to the local property tax regulations and as in the previous 2 years, the welfare system reform and eco system reform were still not implemented.

Day 3 – World War I

The next critical time in history was the First World War and the change in the subject and tone of  the addresses during this time is fascinating. In 1914 war broke out in Europe and America declared its neutrality saying they would aid if necessary but not get involved. This address mentioned how the war in Europe was hampering trade but the finances were still healthy. A sign of things to come was the request to increase the quantity of merchant and navy ships and to prepare for war. But Americans were also told ‘We are at peace with the World’. Again, what didn’t seem to add up was the request for everyone to volunteer for military training if America was not, nor intended to be, joining the war.

This remained the clear message in 1915, with the address stating that America was remaining steadfast in her neutrality. However, once again the army was increased, and citizens were asked to enlist in the army and navy. It was clear there was a concern of attack as the President stated that the army and navy were not big enough to protect the country. As a means of funding all of this, taxes were introduced / raised on petrol, cars and cheques. The pacific railroad, mentioned above, was causing a problem for the government due to work hours, conditions etc.

By 1916 the main focus of the address was the railroad issue. A legal 8 hour work day was decided with minimum wage for railroad employees. Very little was mentioned about the war in Europe other than it would be a government right to acquire railroad material and staff for military use if necessary.

1917 and all hell breaks loose, America is now at war with the Germans but not with her allies. This was to come at a later date. Most of the address focused on this war and by the 1918 address, the war was over with the address stating that it was thanks to the USA. To learn more about World War I check this out --> A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918

The railroads were still causing problems and taxes were to be increased. Most interestingly, it was decided that lands in the west would be claimed. So far the Pacific railroad has been in nearly every address I have read so I am off to get this and find out what was really going on, I bet it is a fascinating story --> Sunset Limited: The Southern Pacific Railroad and the Development of the American West, 1850-1930