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Pentagon Papers

Definition

The Pentagon Papers were a secret government study that revealed the United States' true motives and actions during the Vietnam War. They exposed the government's deception in escalating the war and showed that they had knowledge of the war's unlikelihood of success.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a game with friends, but one of them secretly writes down all their moves and strategies to win. Later, they reveal their notes, exposing their plans and showing how they manipulated the game. That's what the Pentagon Papers did for the Vietnam War.

Related terms

Daniel Ellsberg: A former military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers to the public, risking his career and freedom.

Nixon Administration: The presidential administration in power when the Pentagon Papers were leaked. They tried to prevent their publication but were overruled by a Supreme Court decision.

Freedom of Press: The legal protection that allows journalists to publish information without censorship or punishment from the government.