Military Component of American Historical Memory: “the Justice” of the Vietnam War

Abstract

Historical memory can be divided into three main levels: collective (national), mass and individual. The ratio between them can be different: the same, overlap or contradicting each other. So when forming the collective historical memory should be made of the three main factors: political order, their own interests’ agents, the desire not to offend or not to initiate an active disagreement from those who have personal experience that has formed an opinion on this period, or event. Memory is expressed in signs and symbols, affecting both the mind and the subconscious mind; it constantly recharges sense of national identity, loyalty lifestyle and righteous actions. The history of society during war clearly identifies basic principles of nature as an individual and society as a whole. The military component is one of the most accurate tests of justice and legality, correctness of life as individuals, social groups and the whole society. Therefore, the study of the formation of national memory, using military experience, allows high accuracy to determine the major features of mentality. For the history of formation of the memory of the American society, exactly the Vietnam War can be called the most striking example of the use of memory about it to prove its creditability