The 1960s The student movement

Roots of student activism  Many of the first students involved were inspired by the CRM.  Reacting against what they saw as artificial, materialistic, conformist, and non-democratic society.  Everyone should do meaningful work and be well-paid.

Philosophical roots  Like the CRM, most students believed in nonviolence.  In the NE, many were children of radical (socialist, communist, or social democratic) parents.  Outside the NE, many were inspired by Christian existentialism: they were morally required to improve earthly conditions for all.

Political beliefs  Liberalism held that structure of American society fine, just needed periodic reform.  Old left: radical change would come through organized labor.  “New left:” radical change would come through students and poor. Those left out of system could create new structures.

Role of universities  Universities ideal site for organizing  Should be places of learning as well as implementing new ideas  Should be places where students could find the authentic  Students could engage in participatory democracy on campus

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)  Formed in 1960  Many members active with SNCC  In 1962, the group drafted the “Port Huron Statement”  In 1963, began Economic Research Action Project (ERAP) in ten major cities.  Soon turned focus to Vietnam.

War in Vietnam  U.S., with huge military might, invaded tiny country but lost.  7,000,000 tons of bombs dropped  Almost one 500 pound bomb for each person in Vietnam.

Why was the U.S. involved?  French colony until the French were defeated in 1954  Geneva Accords divided country into North and South—communist North.  U.S. installs Ngo Dinh Diem as leader (dictator)  Democratic elections slated for two years— never happened

Why was the U.S. involved?  Opposition to Diem regime grew  A few landlords became rich, but peasants grew poorer  In 1960, National Liberation Front (NLF) formed. Included many groups, most not communist  In 1963, Diem assassinated in military coup (supported by U.S.)

Conflict escalates  Generals could not suppress NLF  In 1964, Gulf of Tonkin.  Allegedly, U.S. ship Maddox attacked  Later, Pentagon Papers suggest that incident was staged, though many don’t agree  Congressional Tonkin Resolution gives President power to use force

Bombing (and protest) begins  In 1965, D.C. protest attracts 25,000  By 1968, 500,000 American troops on the ground  War polarizes the nation—takes down LBJ  In 1968, Nixon proposes “vietnamization”

Horrors of war  My Lai massacre—68  Over 500 civilians intentionally killed  In 1969, the story broke in the NYT  William Calley, the Unit leader, convicted  Nixon commuted sentence

The war ends  Some veterans return with horror stories  In 1967, Vietnam Veterans against the War starts with 3 protesting vets—membership grew quickly  In 1973, the U.S. withdraws  In 1975, N. Vietnamese defeat Saigon, became Democratic Republic of Vietnam  Casualties: 58,178 American; millions of Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians

The nature of the opposition  U.S. wrong to interfere with other countries  When Vietnam defeated France, should have had immediate elections  Right to self- determination

The nature of the opposition  View of communism to simplistic  USSR and China not involved in plot to take over world—were in fact enemies  Domino theory wrong

The nature of the opposition  As the war grew, critique broadened  Movement became more anti-imperialistic  By 1969, 60% of Americans disapproved of the war, but many didn’t like protesters, finding them unruly and disruptive

The Counterculture: sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll  1960—introduction of birth control pill, though not legal in every state  Pill allowed women more sexual freedom  Such freedom—the sexual revolution— horrified many

Rock ‘n roll  Revival of folk music and protest songs— move away from bubblegum pop of the 50s  Bands with large followings like the Beatles as opposed to one-hit wonders  Psychedelic music—The Grateful Dead— very tied in with drug culture

Hippies  LSD—developed by Timothy Leary of Harvard  Marijuana also very popular  “Tune in, turn on, drop out”  Many political activists put off by hippies, but “middle America” thought their children had gone crazy

Hippie chic  Long hair for men and women  Clothing became part of self-expression  Loose, “ethnic” styles  Hand made, embellished items  Sexual, colorful, nonconformist

Hippie philosophy  Live communally—share what you have  Reject materialism  Follow your heart  Express yourself through music and art  Love and peace most important