Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam in July 1972. Her actions during that infamous visit earned her the title "Hanoi Jane". Many feel she betrayed American troops and the United States; Vietnam veterans still despise the woman after nearly forty years. A factual historical account of her actions, words, and political alliances while in Hanoi provides insight to the strong emotional reactions that continue unabated. Her actions also exemplified the sometimes-narrow line between antiwar ideology and betrayal. Moreover, despite her stated intentions that she simply was an antiwar activist promoting peace, the ongoing debate continues if she committed treason by providing aid and comfort to the enemy. Her messages broadcast over the communist propagandist Radio Hanoi changed how the American troops perceived the political will of the United States from the beginning of the war to its latter stages. Fonda's words to the American POWs and servicemen embodied the inextricable connection between public support from the home front and the war effort overseas. Her statements against American prisoners-of-war and active pilots were so devastating that the North Vietnamese used them as a propaganda tool to deflate the morale of the American troops. The iniquitous legend of "Hanoi Jane" continues because Jane Fonda caused irreparable emotional damage to Vietnam veterans.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.