Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Vietnam War Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

 

Before the Movie

 

What do you know about the Vietnam War?

What do you want to know about the Vietnam War

 

During the Movie (Pause Points)

 

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

 

Timecode 0:43: What effects did France’s colonization have on the Vietnamese? On the French?  

Timecode 1:18:  Why did President Truman support France in its war with the Viet Minh?

Timecode 3:00: How did guerilla warfare give the Viet Cong an advantage? Why was the U.S. at a disadvantage?

Timecode 3:16: How did images of the war influence public opinion in the U.S.?

Timecode 4:13: How would a market economy support Vietnam’s relationship with the U.S.?  

 

After the Movie

 

The Vietnam War divided Americans. If you were alive back then, which side would you have have taken, and why?

How might the Vietnam war have been avoided?

 

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.