1. Protests and Music of the Vietnam War

2. Reading
Please use the classroom set of readings to complete the first part of the handout
Take 5 minutes to do this

3. Vietnam War Protests More troops in Vietnam meant more casualties
More casualties meant more protests in America
Protestors begin focusing on government buildings, especially on college campuses

4. Invasion of Cambodia April 30, 1970
Nixon announced US was conducting military ops in Cambodia
War was supposed to be de-escalating but was now increasing
Students across the US began to protest on their campuses

5. Protests in Kent, Ohio May 1, 1972 May 2, 1972
Protests broke out at Kent State University
Around midnight the protests and violence spread to downtown Kent
May 2, 1972
Protests continued
ROTC building on campus was burned down
More protests were planned for Monday May 4th

6. May 4, 1970 and The Numbers
Student protestors clashed with Ohio National Guard troops
4 students were killed
13 students were wounded, 1 was permanently paralyzed
67 shots were fired in 13 seconds

7. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)
Student organization that was known for its activism against the Vietnam War
Organized a national march on Washington, D.C., in April 1965
Grew more militant over time
Tactics included the occupation of university and college administration buildings
By the mid-1970s the organization had fallen apart

8. The Kent State Incident | 1970

9. Ohio National Guard called in
Ohio Governor Rhodes
ROTC Building Burned | May 2

10. National Guard and Student Protestors

11. Major Jones makes announcement for the students to disperse

12. Tear Gas Protestors throwing tear gas back at national guard
First tear gas being fired
Protestors throwing tear gas back at national guard

13. The conflict from a distance

14. Student Protestors

15. Kent State campus

17. National Guard Firing

18. National Guard Firing
Guard in shooting position
Guard troops

19. The Victims

20. National guard after shooting

21. May 9, 1970: Kent State Quiet After Killings
ABC News Report
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22. Kent State Evidence
Write down evidence that helps you understand the situation and whether or not the students were truly in danger from the Ohio National Guard
Anonymous Male – Oral History -
Lloyd De Vos – Oral History -

23. Whose Fault?
After a very brief account of the tragedy at Kent State University, and hearing some eyewitness testimony, who do you think was responsible for the killings?

24. “Ohio” by Neil Young (1970)
Written by Neil Young after he saw pictures of Kent State in Life Magazine. The song was banned by some radio stations.
What is meant by the term “tin soldiers” in the song? What does the reference to Nixon mean?

25. “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire (1965)
Written by P.F. Sloan when he was 19. Several artists turned it down before Barry McGuire. It was banned by radio stations across America.
What events are mentioned in the song “Eve of Destruction.”

26. “Fortunate Son” by Credence Clearwater Revival (1969)
Written by John Fogerty. Inspired by the marriage of Pres. Nixon’s daughter to the grandson of Pres. Eisenhower.
Who are the fortunate ones in this song? What is the main message of the song?

27. “War” by Edwin Starr (1970)
#1 on the billboard top 100 for three weeks in It has been covered by many artists, including Bruce Springsteen.
Who fights the brunt of war according to the song? What do the lyrics say that war is good for? Who is wars only friend?

28. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye (1971)
Written by Al Cleveland in The album of the same name was ranked #6 on Rolling Stone’s top 500 albums of all time in 2003
According to the song, what is the solution for war? What other era in our country was winding down in 1971 and is the focus of the song?