Pentagon Papers and Their Impact

The lecture explores the Pentagon Papers, a detailed history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and their leak by Daniel Ellsberg. The leak revealed government deception, leading to significant political and legal consequences, including a Supreme Court case and the creation of the White House Plumbers. The case increased public cynicism towards the government and encouraged media scrutiny of federal actions.

What was the primary focus of the Pentagon Papers?

• A study on the Cold War

• A biography of Robert McNamara

• A report on the Korean War

• A detailed history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam

Who initiated the creation of the Pentagon Papers?

• President Nixon

• Henry Kissinger

• Defense Secretary Robert McNamara

• Daniel Ellsberg

What was one of McNamara's stated goals for the Pentagon Papers?

• To support the Johnson administration

• To create a historical source to prevent future policy mistakes

• To promote the Vietnam War

• To criticize the Nixon administration

What motivated Daniel Ellsberg to leak the Pentagon Papers?

• To support the Nixon administration

• To end U.S. involvement in Vietnam

• To gain political power

• To sell the documents for profit

Which newspaper first published selections of the Pentagon Papers?

• The Los Angeles Times

• The Wall Street Journal

• The New York Times

• The Washington Post

How did the Nixon administration initially react to the leak of the Pentagon Papers?

• They were supportive

• They immediately sought legal action

• They ignored it

• They were ambivalent

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case regarding the Pentagon Papers?

• The court did not make a decision

• The court ruled in favor of the Nixon administration

• The court ruled against the Nixon administration

• The case was dismissed

What was the purpose of the White House Plumbers?

• To prevent future leaks of information

• To negotiate with the Chinese

• To support the Pentagon Papers

• To fix leaks in the White House

What was a significant impact of the Pentagon Papers on American society?

• Growing cynicism towards the government

• Support for the Vietnam War

• Increased trust in the government

• Decreased media scrutiny

What was the judge's reason for dismissing the charges against Ellsberg and Russo?

• Pressure from the Nixon administration

• Public support for Ellsberg

• Violation of their rights

• Lack of evidence