The Secrets to our Division

Daniel Ellsbergs 2003 novel Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers
(Penguin Group USA) allows its readers a rare glimpse of the inner workings of the American
government. Ellsberg recounts his life and experiences which led him to expose the top-secret
study entitled U.S.-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1968. This enthralling memoir explores the journey
of a mans evolution from Vietnam policy maker to whistleblower. Ellsbergs actions have been
viewed as the catalyst to ending the Vietnam War, instigating an unprecedented Supreme Court
case centered around one of Americas most valued amendmentsfreedom of speech, and the
resignation of a President of the United States of America.
In Secrets, Ellsberg informs its readers that after attending Harvard and serving in the
Marine Corps, Ellsberg focused his career on decision theoryanalyzing conflicts and utilizing
systematic approaches to finding solutions. Specifically, Ellsberg dedicated himself to nuclear
strategy. Working at the Rand Corporation, Ellsberg felt he was making a difference in
preventing nuclear war. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara solicited Ellsberg to join the
Pentagon where he was intimately involved in the Gulf of Tonkin incident (7-12). Contrary to
President Johnsons assurances to the American people, and his promises to avoid escalating
situations, Ellsberg saw firsthand how America was instigating North Vietnam (12-14). During
that time, for reasons that are not known, McNamara commissioned a study called U.S.-Vietnam
Relations, 1945-1968 to document Americas involvement and conduct regarding Vietnam
(186). After returning from serving two years in Vietnam as a civilian with the State Department,
Ellsberg, again working for Rand, and contributed to this study (188).
Years of studying, as well as his experiences in Vietnam convinced Ellsberg that the war
was not winnable for America. While in Vietnam, Ellsberg observed how the North Vietnamese

Army and the Viet Cong conducted jungle warfare. Their determination, fierceness, guile, and
familiarity with the country affirmed Ellsbergs belief that North Vietnam would never
surrender. After returning from Vietnam, Ellsberg was disillusioned. He began to consider new
tactics for ending the war (181).
Influenced by Janaki, Patricia Marx and Gary Snyder, Ellsberg continued his journey
toward ending the Vietnam War. However, after attending an anti-war rally, where Randy Kehler
lectured on his willingness to serve jail time for resisting the draft (Secrets 271), Ellsberg
decided to copy the Pentagon Papers with the help of Anthony Russo (Aftermath). Ellsberg
solicited those within government to expose Americas misguided actions and motivations.
Unable to convince Kissinger or sympathetic Senators such as Fulbright and McGovern to
release the study, Ellsberg is at a stalemate. He then privately shares the papers with the Institute
for Policy Studies and New York Times reporter, Neil Sheehan. Soon after, Sheehan breaks
confidentiality and publishes the papers (Young, 2).
When the U.S.-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1968 study, called the Pentagon Papers, were
published on June 13, 1971, in the New York Times, the war in Vietnam was not a success.
Americans were openly frustrated with the war; for our military presence had been ongoing since
1961 (History Place). Fissure within American society between our citizens was rampant. Antiwar demonstrations were well attended and a common occurrence across the nation (History
Place). Many resistors of the war felt they were patriotic because they were standing up for the
ideals and guiding principles America was founded on. They questioned the morality of
supporting a war that essentially defended French colonialism. However, many Americans
considered protestors of the war to be unpatriotic and communists. President Nixon, on May 1,
1970, was very vocal calling student protestors bums blowing up campuses (History Place).

Four days later, American military force was used against Americans in Ohio at Kent State
University. Four protestors were shot and killed by National Guardsmen. This unfortunate act
reflected not only how polarized Americans were, but how passionate and violent the Vietnam
debate was all across America.
In a study conducted by Lunch and Sperlich, opinion polls conducted by Gallup were
analyzed. In August 1965, Gallup reported that 61 percent of Americans supported sending a
military presence into Vietnam (25). By March 1971, only 28 percent believed it was not a
mistake to send troops into Vietnam. Over half of the Americans who participated in the poll
believe that the war is morally wrong (25). Anti-war sentiment was fueled by how the war was
being conducted. The disaster of Hamburger Hill exposed disorganization and
miscommunication within the military. Public dissent was constantly expressed regarding the Tet
offensives, My Lai massacres and other civilian causalities. Moral issues surrounded the military
campaigns conducted in Cambodia and Laos, as well as battle tactics for 1972s Operation
Linebacker I and II. Many people felt that American and civilian lives were needlessly being
killed.
American military presence had been downsized, according to Norton, from 543,000
troops in 1969to 156,800 troops in December 1971 (976). Clearly, Nixons withdrawal of
these troops reflects his attempt to placate American citizens and their prevailing sentiments.
Though troops were continually being withdrawn throughout this period, the war was certainly
being escalated. Both the United States and North Vietnam consistently increased their bombing
campaigns. Norton informs us that our governments plan was to help build up South Vietnams
military, a plan called Vietnamization with arms and training, so they could defend themselves
without any aide (977). Secretly however, America expanded the war into Cambodia and Laos.

Ellsberg believes that Nixon was planning to drop a nuclear bomb on North Vietnam 20 miles
from Chinas border (Aftermath). Operation Linebacker I and II caused vast destruction of
Vietnam including thousands of civilian deaths. In Secrets, Ellsberg reminds us of Oval Office
tapes that recorded conversations between Nixon and Kissinger on May 4, 1972 where Nixon
expresses he does not care about civilian casualties (419).
The reaction to the Pentagon Papers in America was also polarized. To those active in the
anti-war movement, the Pentagon Papers solidified their resolve to withdraw from the war. Many
Americans were angry with the government and military. The contents of the study revealed the
disregard for the loss of life that permeated throughout the diplomatic and military strategies
concerning Indochina. They clearly showed that even when presidents err, policy makers and
government employees will follow their lead and not correct the mistake. Most importantly, it
gave Americans reasons to doubt our governments judgment. Ellsberg believes that the papers
had little effect initially on supporters of the war. The majority of American was reluctant to
believe that the secret and overt escalation of the war was being continued by the Nixon
administration (Secrets 414).
Politically, Nixon initially was nonplussed by the Ellsbergs leaking of the U.S.-Vietnam
Relations; 1945-1968 study because it embarrassed the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
Undoubtedly, the study proved that Americans and Congress had been intentionally mislead.
President Johnson had lied to the public and Congress regarding his intentions and actions in
Indochina. During his 1964 presidential campaign, Johnson consistently told Americans we
seek no wider war (History Place). However, Kissinger convinced Nixon that publication of
this study needed to be stopped. Kissinger argued, Ellsberg needed to be prosecuted in order to
prevent others from leaking top-secret classified information. Nixon became obsessed with

making an example of Ellsberg. Many conversations were recorded in the Oval office pertaining
to the course of action that would be taken (Aftermath). Twelve felony accounts were brought
against Ellsberg, including three federal felonies, espionage, theft, and conspiracy, all totaling a
maximum penalty of 115 years (Secrets 414). Nixon then set in motion events that would forever
change American history.
First, Nixon obtained an injunction to prevent the New York Times from publishing the
Pentagon Papers (History Place). This is the first time in America that the government attempted
to interfere with information disseminated by a newspaper. This infringement on the First
Amendment confirms many suspicions Americans had against the government. It solidified
public mistrust in our government because our government not only lied to the public, but
attempted to deny Americans their constitutional rights. The Times eventually won their
Supreme Court case, and continued to publish along with other newspapers such as the
Washington Post (U.S. Department of State).
Secondly, Nixon organized a group of men called the White House Plumbers to break
into Ellsbergs psychiatrists office in an attempt to find incriminating evidence (Secrets
440). This same group of men was later caught breaking into the Democrats suite at the
Watergate hotel. Initially, when they were caught in the Watergate hotel, no one knew of their
connection to Nixon and the fact they were acting on White House orders. However, people in
Washington did know of their actions against Ellsberg. Similar to a chain reaction, this scandal
led to the first impeachment proceedings in America against a President. Eventually, in another
historical American first, Nixon offered his resignation as President of the United States of
America.
Thirdly, on May 3, 1972, Nixon flew in 12 former CIA commandos from Miami. Their

orders called for total incapacitation of Ellsberg (Aftermath). Thankfully, crowds where too
dense and they were unable to complete their mission. Nixon and his White House advisors
obviously would stop at nothing to enact their revenge on Ellsberg.
Fourthly, Ellsbergs presiding judge, William Matthew Byrne Jr., met with John
Ehrlichman, Assistant to President Nixon on Domestic Affairs, to offer him directorship of the
FBI. This act, in addition to all of the other White House misconducts, including illegally tapping
Ellsbergs phone, led to all charges against Ellsberg being dropped and his case dismissed
(Secrets 456).
While the Vietnam War was slowly being phased out since 1969, the war would not
officially end until March 29, 1973nearly two years after the printing of the Pentagon Papers.
On June 19, 1973 Congress passed the Case-Church Amendment which prohibited American
military involvement in Southeast Asia (History Place). Consequentially, Nixons previous
secret promises, made to South Vietnams President Theiu, of military retaliation if North
Vietnam violated peace agreements, were impossible to keep. Most importantly, this amendment
demonstrated that South Vietnam has been abandoned and North Vietnam could invade without
fear of United States intervention. When North Vietnam breaks the Paris treaty in December of
1974, America and President Ford are challenged by Secretary of State Schlesinger. In his
testimony before Congress, Schlesinger states that America is not living up to promises made to
South Vietnam. On January 21, 1975, Ford responds in a press conference, that America will not
re-enter the war. When Theiu resigns exactly three months later, he states The United States has
not respected its promises. It is inhumane. It is untrustworthy. It is irresponsible (History
Place). These events certainly did not go unnoticed by Americans and international
communities. Vietnam has not only divided our nation, disenfranchised citizens from the

governmentit tarnished our reputation. From an international and diplomatic perspective,

America not only lost its first war, America lost our integrity and honor.
Disillusion and mistrust have now been woven into the American narrative. Prior to the
Pentagon papers being released, Americans knew that the government held secret agendas.
However, the presumption that the government is keeping secrets and conducting its affairs with
the best interest of America and its citizens has been seriously compromised. The Pentagon
Papers and the Watergate Scandal prove that American presidents and our government
intentionally mislead and lied to the American people. Further damaging to the American fiber,
is the realization that many different government agencies held the belief that the war in Vietnam
was impossible to win. Citizens now know that the American government will put Americans in
danger and arguable to death. Our government has lost the trust of the American people. The
sentiment that our government protects Americans has been tarnished. Ultimately, patriotism has
been soiled. Americans, especially the post-Vietnam generations, have a hard time being
inherently proud of America and all we have done. The secrets to our division have been
revealed and the golden age of the American story has past.

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