Opposition to the Vietnam War An antiwar movement in the U.S. pitted supporters of the government's war policy against those who opposed it.
Roots of Opposition College students create a powerful vocal protest movement Free Speech Movement (Berkley) Students for a Democratic Society U.S. has no business in Vietnam's civil war U.S. can't police the entire globe South Vietnam's regime is corrupt War morally unjust Against the draft/selective service
Peaceful Protests Turn Violent protests escalate When police came to arrest protestors, crowds retaliated Refused to leave buildings - forcing colleges to cancel classes Roads blocked ROTC buildings burned
War divides the nation in two by 1967 Doves: withdraw from Vietnam (28%) Hawks: unleash greater military force in Vietnam (56%) 70% of Americans believe war protests were "acts of disloyalty" Used slogans: "Support our men in Vietnam" & "America-Love it or leave it"
Protest Music of the Vietnam Era Wars create antagonists who transformed empathy, anger, frustration into a message, in this era it was popular music...Vietnam War Protest MusicVietnam War Protest Music Some songs were patriotic: Okie From MuskogeeOkie From Muskogee Many were anti-war songs: Fortunate Son Fortunate Son
Tet Offensive Jan. 30, 1968 Vietcong & North Vietnamese army attack +100 South Vietnamese cities during truce Vietcong/North Vietnam defeated (lose 32,000) War seen by Americans as un- winnable TV images portray enemy that is everywhere Johnson disapproval rating = 60%
Impact of Tet Offensive Johnson criticized by hawks & doves Decides not to run again - splits Democratic party Riots in Chicago during Democratic Party conventionRiots in Chicago during Democratic Party convention Nixon wins 1968 presidential election Promises to abolish draft End Vietnam war with honorable peace
Nixon & Vietnam Nixon adopts Vietnamization Policy to address American causalities Train & equip the South Vietnamese to take more responsibility Withdraw American troops "Peace with honor"
Trouble Continues on Home Front August 1969: Nixon announced he would begin withdrawing troops from Vietnam November 1969: My Lai Massacre reported by New York Times Increases public opposition and weariness to war April 1970: announcement that the U.S. had invaded Cambodia College students around the nation burst out and protest 1.5 million college students strike; closing down 1200 campuses
Kent State Protest May 1970: Ohio Kent State University protest & burn ROTC building Demonstrators are fired upon by National Guard who were hurling rocks 9 protesters wounded, 4 killed Similar violence broke out at Jackson State University College protests demonstrate the divide in the country over the war Many believe the students, "Got what they deserved!"