The Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers were a classified U.S. government report detailing the country's political and military involvement in Vietnam from World War II to 1968. In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a military analyst, leaked the documents to the press, revealing that the government had misled the public about the war's progress and purpose. The release sparked widespread controversy, leading to debates about government transparency, media freedom, and the Vietnam War's legitimacy. The incident played a significant role in shaping public opinion against the war and raised important questions about the ethics of government secrecy.
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The Pentagon Papers were a classified U.S. government report detailing the country's political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. Leaked in 1971, they revealed that officials had misled the public about the war's progress and likelihood of success. The documents sparked a national controversy over government transparency and the ethics of the Vietnam War. Their release led to a landmark Supreme Court case on free press, as newspapers sought to publish the papers despite government attempts to stop them. The Pentagon Papers significantly influenced public opinion and trust in the government regarding military engagements.
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The Pentagon Papers are a secret U.S. government report detailing the country's political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. In 1971, excerpts were leaked, revealing that the government had misled the public about the war's progress and decisions. The documents showed that U.S. leaders were aware of the war's unlikelihood of success, contradicting their public statements. The leak sparked a national debate about government transparency and the public's right to know, leading to significant legal battles over press freedom and ultimately reshaping public perception of the Vietnam War and government accountability.