Lesson 3 The Antiwar Movement The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 3 The Antiwar Movement

Lesson 3 The Antiwar Movement The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 3 The Antiwar Movement Learning Objectives Describe the divisions within American society over the Vietnam War. Analyze the Tet Offensive and the American reaction to it. Summarize the factors that influenced the outcome of the 1968 presidential election. draftees Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) “credibility gap” Tet Offensive Eugene McCarthy Robert Kennedy

Reasons for Vietnam Protest: 1. The belief that Vietnam was in a civil war and the US didn’t belong there 2. The belief that the South Vietnamese were just as oppressive as the Communists 3. The belief that the US shouldn’t have to police the entire globe 4. The war was morally unjust

A Manipulatable Draft: Most soldiers who fought in Vietnam were selected in the draft Any male between the ages of 18-26 could be called to war 1/3 of soldiers were selected through draft 19yr olds were average soldiers Poor working class families Middle class soldiers who were drafted rarely saw combat Few came from upper class families Men tried to find ways around the draft (medical exemptions, joining the Coast / National Guard) Men also enrolled in college (deferment) – this created a social gap ($$) Wealthy men could obtain deferment for medical reasons from doctors Conscientious objector against moral beliefs 80% of the soldiers in Vietnam came from lower economic levels

In 1967, three years after Ali had won the heavyweight championship, Refused to go to the War Religious beliefs Ali was eventually arrested and found guilty on draft evasion charges; stripped of his boxing title, and his boxing license was suspended. Not sent to prison US Supreme Court – stated he was allowed to avoid the war. He was vilified by many Americans Ali speech MLK Against the Vietnam War Poor and African Americans Drafted No equality at home 1969 Selective Service System – more diverse army of draftees

The Roots of American Opposition: Students for a Democratic Society – called for greater individual freedom and less “big government” Campaign against racism and poverty + Anti- War University of Michigan College Students Large number of Anti-War Movements Free Speech Movement – students wanted to be able to protest and give speeches at campus events and rallies without intervention 26th Amendment – 18 year old's allowed to vote “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote”

The Living Room War: Vietnam’s violence was televised nationally Anti-War Movement Veterans, Catholic Peace Fellowship, Another mother for peace Media and the War “living room war” Mixed messages Government – war is successful Media coverage – messy conflict without a resolution Creditability Gap – Growing distrust of the government and the Vietnam War (mixed messages)

A Surprise Attack: Jan. 30th in the Vietnamese equivalent to New Years During this time, safe travel was allowed between N and S Vietnam Northern Vietnamese sent the coffins of dead soldiers back to S Vietnam In the month to follow, the Vietcong would use these weapons to take over 100 cities in S Vietnam The Vietcong also took the US Embassy in Saigon (killing 5 Americans) This month long surge would be called the Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive Analyze Maps Identify two regions of South Vietnam that were hard-hit by the Tet Offensive.

Johnson refuses resolution Victory to Peace Tet Offensive caused less faith in the war Military leaders question if US could be victorious William Westmoreland – wanted more troops Sec of Defense Clark Clifford – (Against sending troops) more casualties, increased taxes, increasing draft Johnson looks towards peace – 1968 Decrease bombing in Vietnam War was hurting Johnson’s presidency Johnson would not run for reelection Democratic Candidates Eugene McCarthy Robert Kennedy

TURNING POINT - 1968 LBJ HAD SAID VIETCONG WERE ABOUT TO SURRENDER U.S SUFFERS HUGE LOSSES BEFORE EVENTUAL VICTORY AMERICANS START TO QUESTION LBJ TURNING POINT - 1968

Public looks for changes The 1968 Presidential Race Public looks for changes Future of country at stake Year of 1968 MLK assassinated – April 4th, 1968 Robert Kennedy – June 5, 1968 Victory in California Primary Sirhan Sirhan – killed Kennedy Revenge for US involvement in Israel and war against Egypt

Democratic Convention Chaos and Violence in America Chicago 1968 – Democrats gather to choose candidate Anti-War Protester emerge on the city National Guard and Police ordered Democrats choose Hubert Humphrey – Johnson’s Vice President Protestors and Police fight in the streets Nixon Wins Presidency Republicans nominate Richard Nixon Southern Strategy – convincing southern voters to support the republican party. End of the “Solid South” of democratic voters “Peace with Honor” He campaigned on returning law and order He also promised to end the war in Vietnam He would win the presidency and eventually create even more protest and uproar within the country