Doubt Grows Congress now began to question what LBJ’s administration was reporting Communities wanted their boys back Men began draft-protesting Quickly it will evolve into this: Check out this old-timey 1967 “breaking news” bulletin (nat’l archives) st Draft Card Burning: 10/16/65: In a demonstration staged by the student-run National Coordinating Committee to End the War in Vietnam, the first public burning of a draft card takes place. 100,000 people in 40 cities across the country arrived in New York, David Miller, a young Catholic pacifist, became the first U.S. war protestor to burn his draft card in direct violation of a recently passed law forbidding such acts. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation later arrested him; he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to two years imprisonment. 1 st Draft Card Burning: 10/16/65: In a demonstration staged by the student-run National Coordinating Committee to End the War in Vietnam, the first public burning of a draft card takes place. 100,000 people in 40 cities across the country arrived in New York, David Miller, a young Catholic pacifist, became the first U.S. war protestor to burn his draft card in direct violation of a recently passed law forbidding such acts. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation later arrested him; he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Teach-Ins: an extended meeting/class held to discuss a social/political issue What do we do when something happens to a student or community member? What about lockdowns & shelter-in-place drills? March 1965: University of Michigan- teachers & students abandon their classes to talk about the war & why they oppose/support the idea of it. By May, 122 colleges nationally begin to do the same thing.

Reasons for Opposing the War: Civil war the U.S. had no place in Civil war the U.S. had no place in S. Vietnam seen as a corrupt dictatorship & defending them in any way was immoral S. Vietnam seen as a corrupt dictatorship & defending them in any way was immoral Anger at the draft Anger at the draft – Sometimes, college students could defer serving until graduating – This targeted poor men who couldn’t afford college – Many minorities served & died

“Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home and death and corruption in Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours.” - MLK 1967

The War Begins to Escalate Draft calls now increased & all men were at risk Draft calls now increased & all men were at risk 50,000 men refused to go or didn’t report 50,000 men refused to go or didn’t report – = 3,000+ men persecuted for refusing Prison was a welcomed alternative Prison was a welcomed alternative Some moved to Canada or Sweden Some moved to Canada or Sweden Many publically burned draft cards Many publically burned draft cards

1971: voting age is now nationally set at 18 (vs. by state) “So, I can kill a man but I can’t enjoy a beer or properly leave education behind? If I’m old enough to fight… then I’m old enough to vote”

One of the Most Famous Images in U.S. History: An Unexpected Poll Result: 1967 Although antiwar protesting became HUGE, this didn’t represent majority opinion. 68% of respondents favored continuing the war 32% wanted to end it Many criticized the 32% for a lack of patriotism Questions YOU should be wondering: who took the poll & is this a lack of patriotism if it’s not an attack on our country? What do you think?

By 1968 the nation seems to be divided By 1968 the nation seems to be divided Doves: those who wanted the U.S. to withdraw from Vietnam Doves: those who wanted the U.S. to withdraw from Vietnam Hawks: those who insisted the U.S. stay & fight Hawks: those who insisted the U.S. stay & fight Which would YOU be? Why? Let’s take a tally! Which would YOU be? Why? Let’s take a tally!

The Turning Point: 1968 THE TET OFFENSIVE January 30, 1968 Tet is taking place (Vietnamese New Year) Vietcong & the North Vietnamese (NVA) launch a MASSIVE surprise attack Tet Offensive: guerrilla fighters attacked almost all U.S. airbases in S. Vietnam & most of the South’s major cities/capitals

Tet Offensive Cont’d… Bloodiest battle: Hue, S. Vietnam’s 3 rd largest city Bloodiest battle: Hue, S. Vietnam’s 3 rd largest city It took 4 weeks to drive out the Communists It took 4 weeks to drive out the Communists U.S. troops found mass graves of massacred: U.S. troops found mass graves of massacred: – political/religious leaders – Foreigners & visitors – Teachers & doctors – 3,000 bodies found – Thousands more remained missing

People start to dislike LBJ (finally!) His approval rating drops to a 35%; war approval = 26% LBJ recognizes this & decides to NOT run for president in the 1968 elections “It seems more certain than ever that the bloody experience in Vietnam is to end in a stalemate” – Walter Cronkite

Nixon(R) Wins the Presidency for 3 Main Reasons: 1. People associated turmoil with Democratic party (Riots at Dem. Convention; (D) candidate Robert Kennedy assassinated by Arab Nationalist Sirhan Sirhan! 2. Nixon promised to unify the nation & restore order 3. He said he had a plan to “end the war” (with no details… but this provided hope to skeptics)