Youth Protests and Emergence of a Counter-Culture 1964-1974

Discussion What aspects of the Vietnam War were likely to cause protests on the U.S. Homefront? Why do youth (teenagers/young adults) tend to be on the forefront of protests for social reform? How would you define counter-culture?

Origins of Movement Counter-culture: set of beliefs opposed to social norms Began on college campuses to protest the violation of constitutional rights. Gained popularity as a result of the "Generation Gap” (divide in views between old and young citizens) Social issues of 1960’s fueled the goals for the movement: Denial of civil rights (especially racial segregation and disenfranchisement) Vietnam (especially use of chemical weapons & the draft) Opposition to nuclear weapons Poverty & lack of government aide to lower classes/rural communities Lack of access to birth control (coincides with Sexual Revolution) Censorship (media and Hollywood) Environmentalism (Increased knowledge of pollutants)

Characteristics of Movement Protests Civil Disobedience Burning draft cards Music/Art Experimentation with drugs Popularity of communes Rise of the hippie and other alternative lifestyles

Alternative Music & Art Festivals

Vietnam Protest Slogans Hey, Hey LBJ, how many kids will you kill today? One, two they’ll kill you; three, four stop the war; five, six piss on Nix Make love, not war I don’t give a damn for Uncle Sam, I ain’t going to Vietnam Eighteen today, dead tomorrow, don’t make us live this constant sorrow Stop the war, feed the poor Give peace a chance!

Draft Resistance In 1965, Johnson quadrupled the number of men drafted into the armed forces. (Selective Service Act) By the end of the war, 10,000 men fled to Canada to escape the draft.

The end of Johnson’s Presidency “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.”

President Nixon takes over

President Nixon takes over In 1970, Nixon authorized the invasion of Cambodia in order to clear out Communist camps.

Kent State Youth Protest At Kent State University in Ohio, students reacted angrily to Nixon’s bombing/expansion of conflict in Cambodia. Students broke business windows and burned the army ROTC building. In response, the Ohio National Guard threw tear gas at the students trying to break them up. When this did not work, the guardsmen began shooting the students. This attack horrified Americans and fueled more activist movements. Made Nixon re-consider Vietnam strategy.

Paris Peace Treaty Evident that neither side would back down…… “Peace with honor!” In January 1973, the U.S, South Vietnam, North Vietnam and the Viet Cong signed a peace agreement in Paris (thanks to détente with China!) The provisions of the agreement were: The U.S. would withdraw from Vietnam within 60 days. All prisoners of war would be released. All parties would end military activities in Laos and Cambodia. The 17th parallel would continue to divide North and South Vietnam.

End of Vietnam War After the U.S. left Vietnam in 1973, the south and north continued to fight for two more years. The Vietnam War officially ended in 1975 when the whole country of Vietnam fell to communism. Cambodia & Laos fell to communism in 1975

Achievements of Youth Protest Supreme Court rules motion pictures are entitled to First Amendment (leads to decline in censorship) Withdrawal from Vietnam 26th Amendment (1971): voting age is 18 Declining global commitments Transformed the role of youth & media in society Influenced other movements (feminism & gay liberation) which would challenge women’s rights, access to healthcare & sexual norms.

Video Clip Review WATCH THIS CLIP!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ucpG1RG56Y