2. The End of the Vietnam War
The fall of Saigon in 1975 marked the dramatic end of the Vietnam War, a conflict that had deeply divided the United States and reshaped its global posture. As helicopters evacuated Americans and South Vietnamese allies, the war’s conclusion signaled a turning point in U.S. foreign policy. It fostered a more cautious approach to international intervention and further eroded public trust in government decision-making. The shadow of Vietnam continues to influence America’s engagement abroad and the public’s expectations of transparency and accountability.
