Warm Up # 17 What would it take for you to participate in a protest? What are you willing to fight for, go to jail for?
Protests and Music of the Vietnam War
Kent State Massacre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4dlCQ1uiN0
“Ohio” by Neil Young (1970) Written by Neil Young after he saw pictures of Kent State in Life Magazine. The song was banned by some radio stations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkg-bzTHeAk What is meant by the term “tin soldiers” in the song? What does the reference to Nixon mean?
“Eve of Destruction” by Barry Mcguire (1965) Written by P.F. Sloan when he was 19. Several artists turned it down before Barry McGuire. It was banned by radio stations across America. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjk0kcArclw What events are mentioned in the song “Eve of Destruction.”
“Fortunate Son” by Credence Clearwater Revival (1969) Written by John Fogerty. Inspired by the marriage of Pres. Nixon’s daughter to the grandson of Pres. Eisenhower. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbNnvPBokNs Who are the fortunate ones in this song? What is the main message of the song?
“War” by Edwin Starr (1970) #1 on the billboard top 100 for three weeks in 1970. It has been covered by many artists, including Bruce Springsteen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJOLH8WfCaY Who fights the brunt of war according to the song? What do the lyrics say that war is good for? Who is wars only friend?
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye (1971) Written by Al Cleveland in 1969. The album of the same name was ranked #6 on Rolling Stone’s top 500 albums of all time in 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jKE6YIxmc According to the song, what is the solution for war? What other era in our country was winding down in 1971 and is the focus of the song?
Background Info for Teacher http://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/kent-state1.htm
Reading Class Docs pg. 8 Workbook pg. Take 10 minutes to do this
Vietnam War Protests More troops in Vietnam meant more casualties More casualties meant more protests in America Protestors begin focusing on government buildings, especially on college campuses
Invasion of Cambodia April 30, 1972 Nixon announced US was conducting military ops in Cambodia War was supposed to be de-escalating but was now increasing Students across the US began to protest on their campuses
Protests in Kent, Ohio May 1, 1972 May 2, 1972 Protests broke out at Kent State University Around midnight the protests and violence spread to downtown Kent May 2, 1972 Protests continued ROTC building on campus was burned down More protests were planned for Monday May 4th
May 4, 1970 and The Numbers Student protestors clashed with Ohio National Guard troops 4 students were killed 13 students were wounded, 1 was permanently paralyzed 67 shots were fired in 13 seconds
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) Student organization that was known for its activism against the Vietnam War Organized a national march on Washington, D.C., in April 1965 Grew more militant over time Tactics included the occupation of university and college administration buildings By the mid-1970s the organization had fallen apart
The Kent State Incident | 1970
The Victims
Kent State campus
Ohio National Guard called in Ohio Governor rhodes ROTC Building Burned | May 2
National Guard and Student Protestors
Major Jones makes announcement for the students to disperse
Tear Gas Protestors throwing tear gas back at national guard First tear gas being fired
The conflict from a distance
Student Protestors
National Guard Firing
National Guard Firing Guard in shooting position Guard troops
National guard after shooting
Kent State Evidence Write down evidence that helps you understand the situation and whether or not the students were truly in danger from the Ohio National Guard http://www.library.kent.edu/special-collections-and-archives/kent- state-shootings-oral-histories Play a few of the interviews – need to decide which ones to use – some are fairly long
Whose Fault? After a very brief account of the tragedy at Kent State University, and hearing some eyewitness testimony, who do you think was responsible for the killings?