It's really important to be informed about the context of the articles in Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs.
It's not a hugely ardours task and can be quite enjoyable. It's a job that you should begin at the beginning of the year and do along side reading and annotating the articles in the anthology.
Sometimes knowing about the context of an article will not be important. It will never be vital. But it can help inform, give a perspective and clarify what are often complex and confusing world issues.
So, as you prepare for this timed recast question consider the following:
Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963) was a staunchly anti-Communist Vietnamese statesman who refused to ally with North Vietnamese communists. With the support of the United States government, Diem led South Vietnam from 1954 to 1963.
Hearts and Minds
or winning hearts and minds refers to propaganda and cultural programs used by
the governments of South Vietnam and the United States during the Vietnam War
to win the popular support of the Vietnamese people and to help defeat the Viet
Cong insurgency.
Click here for a link to an article on the Vietnam War
Click here for a short documentary clip about the war
