Asked by gdx
hich of the following statements about the American soldiers who served in Vietnam is correct?
Most Americans serving in Vietnam were drafted.
Most of the soldiers came from working class backgrounds.
A high percentage of college students were drafted.
The average age of a soldier was 21.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
Correct answer: Most of the soldiers came from working-class backgrounds.
Why: College deferments and other exemptions meant middle- and upper-class young men were less likely to serve, so men from working- and lower-class backgrounds were disproportionately represented in Vietnam. The other statements are incorrect or misleading: while many draftees served, not literally “most” were drafted in the simple sense taught by some summaries (there were large numbers of volunteers as well); college students generally received deferments, so a high percentage of college students were not drafted; and the often-cited average age for combat troops was about 19 (not 21).
Why: College deferments and other exemptions meant middle- and upper-class young men were less likely to serve, so men from working- and lower-class backgrounds were disproportionately represented in Vietnam. The other statements are incorrect or misleading: while many draftees served, not literally “most” were drafted in the simple sense taught by some summaries (there were large numbers of volunteers as well); college students generally received deferments, so a high percentage of college students were not drafted; and the often-cited average age for combat troops was about 19 (not 21).
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