Not so popular now… Read your draft scenarios!
Government Credibility Do you believe everything the government says? Why?
Government Credibility During Johnson’s administration General William Westmoreland 1967: reported enemy was almost defeated Television reports contradicted this… Credibility Gap Hard to believe what was said about the war
Teach-ins March 1965 University of Michigan Faculty and students abandoned classes to informally discuss issues of the war
May colleges held “National Teach-In” by radio for more than 100,000 antiwar demonstrators
How it connects with the Civil Rights Movement High number of African Americans and poor Americans fighting and dying in Vietnam Aril 1967 King spoke : “I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken…”
Refusal to serve Between 1965 and ,300 Americans refused to serve 1969 Introduced lottery system: only those with low lottery numbers were subject to draft
How old do you have to be to be drafted? Before 1971 you could not vote at the age of Federal Voting Rights Act all citizens 18 years and older have the right to vote
Decreasing Popularity Johnson with decreasing popularity and his credibility gone refuses his nomination for a second term as president Democrats look for alternative candidate
Nation rocked After Johnson’s refusal… James Earl Ray arrested for killing MLK Robert Kennedy (JFK’s brother and who appeared to be the alternative Democratic candidate) is killed Sirhan Sirhan an Arab nationalist
Nixon Elected President Republican 1968 presidential election Beat Hubert Humphrey (V.P. of Johnson)
history/videos/dodging-the-draft history/videos/dodging-the-draft
Major Events “Teach-ins” (particularly the one in May) 1971 Federal Voting Rights Act