PDN What do you think of when you see these images?

End of the Vietnam War 24.3/4

Student Activism The Teach-in Movement —issues concerning the war could be discussed, popular means of expressing antiwar sentiment. Continued Protests — Hundreds of demonstrations continued at colleges around the country. Post-War Prosperity — resulted in young Americans in the 1960s having many opportunities unknown to previous generations; many also questioned the values of their parents.

Resistance through music For What it’s Worth-Buffalo Springfield War-Edwin Starr Peace Train-Cat Stevens I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag-Country Joe and the Fish Where Have All the Flowers Gone?-Pete Seeger

Draft Resistance Selective Service Act of 1951-drafted young men between the ages of 18 and 26 into the armed forces. Conscientious objectors -people who opposed fighting on moral or religious grounds. As the war progressed, the draft-resistance movement grew many young men burnt their many young men burnt their draft cards or fled to Canada

Muhammad Ali When Ali got his draft notice, he arrived as instructed for the physical exam, and cooperated politely until it was time to take the Army oath. He refused, saying, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong". A month later an all-white jury found him guilty of draft evasion, and Ali was imprisoned. His boxing license was revoked, and he was stripped of his world championship. His boxing license was revoked, and he was stripped of his world championship. Almost four years later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, and decided that under the tenets of Islam Ali was a conscientious objector, not a criminal. Almost four years later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, and decided that under the tenets of Islam Ali was a conscientious objector, not a criminal.

Johnson Doesn’t Run Continuing protests and an increasing number of casualties steadily decreased popular support for Johnson’s handling of the war. After the Tet Offensive, Johnson rarely left the White House for fear of angry protesters.

Election of 1968 The Democratic Convention-During the convention, police attacked protesters most took place in front of television cameras. most took place in front of television cameras. Nixon Wins-Many Americans were disillusioned by Johnson’s handling of the Vietnam War. Looked for stability from Looked for stability fromRepublicans

Nixon and Vietnam Although Nixon wanted to end the war, he did not want to lose it. launched secret bombing raids and expanded the war to Cambodia launched secret bombing raids and expanded the war to Cambodia Nixon hoped his Cambodian attacks would help America in peace negotiations. Instead, the attacks resulted in both Instead, the attacks resulted in both civil war in Cambodia and more antiwar protests in the U.S.

Kent State Student antiwar protests at Kent State University in Ohio Nixon ordered the National Guard to Kent State. Students threw rocks at the guardsmen, the troops opened fire, killing and wounding both protesters and bystanders.

Provisions of Peace-January 1973 The United States would withdraw all its forces from South Vietnam within 60 days. All prisoners of war would be released. All parties to the agreement would end military activities in Laos and Cambodia. The 17th parallel would continue to divide North and South Vietnam until the country could be reunited.

South Vietnam Falls After American forces had withdrawn, North Vietnam attacked strategic cities in South Vietnam, ending with its capital, Saigon. South Vietnam surrendered in April 1975, and Vietnam became unified under a Communist government.

Today Thousands of American soldiers who did not return home after the war were listed as POWs (prisoners of war) or MIAs (missing in action). Many remain unaccounted for today. Vietnam War Memorial- It consists of a long wall of black granite, listing the names of every American who died in the Vietnam War.

POW-John McCain Taken prisoner after ejecting from plane Not given medical care initially Spent two years in solitary confinement As a top admiral and son of a top admiral was offered early release, refused saying those captured before him should be allowed to go first Was tortured and beaten until he “broke” Total of 5.5 years, cannot raise arms above his head due to lack of treatment and torture

Review Questions Who were conscientious objectors? Why did people vote for Nixon? What became of South Vietnam? How did post-war prosperity change American attitudes? Who are POWs and MIAs?