1. Conflict in Vietnam
Protest Back Home

2. Early in the War Americans supported the war
Between , more than 16,000 US troops dead

3. Shift in Public Opinion
“living-room war”
By 1967, country is split in half
Johnson’s domestic programs suffering
Taxes going up
Mixed messages about the war

4. Why Protest against the War?
Apathy
Belief that we shouldn’t be involved in foreign conflict
Detrimental to Vietnam
My Lai > people believe the U.S. army wasn’t benefitting Vietnam
Detrimental to Americans
Disillusioned with friends and family dying
Fear
Didn’t buy into war, didn’t want to fight

5. My Lai Massacre March 16, 1968 Searching village for Vietcong
Round up women, children, elderly
Rape, torture, murder
US finds out about it in November 1969

6. The Draft Source of much conflict Selective Service System
Register with local draft board when turned 18
All men between 18-26

7. Was it fair? Exemptions Who is fighting Start lottery system in 1969
Medical conditions
College deferment
Who is fighting
80% were minorities and lower-class whites
Start lottery system in 1969
Draft Dodgers

8. Growing Protest College students/youth
Start small, grow to major protest in Washington, DC with over 1 million people
Want an end to the war

12. Chicago Democratic Convention
Riots
anti-war protests marched through the city
Police officers break up peaceful demonstrations, results in riot
Significance: loss of law and order in society
WHO TO BLAME?

13. Violence at Universities
May 4, 1970
Kent State University
Some students protesting invasion of Cambodia
National Guard shot 9 students, killed 4
Took 13 seconds

15. Media’s role in anti-war movement
National Connection: video and sound of the protests.
Popular culture: anti-war movement incorporated into music and movies.
Live News: allowed Americans to see what was happening in the war as it happens.