4.1 - Opposition To The War Flashcards
What short-term factors made opposition to the war grow in Vietnam?
- Events in Vietnam (Tet Offensive)
- Presidential Policy Changes (invading Cambodia)
- Mohammad Ali refused
What long-term factors made opposition to the war grow in Vietnam?
- Rising death foll
- Loss or serious injury of family members
- Length of the war
- The cost of the war (paid from taxes) rose as the cost of US involvement rose
- Black Panthers opposed the war as they faced racism on a daily basis ( inc. Monamned Ali refusal)
- Student movement
- The draft (lottery system to recruit soldier)
- Media representation of war
Why did student opposition grow in the late 1960s?
- In 1950 - 2.2 million Students in the USA. In 1965 - 5.9 million and in 1970 - 8.5 million
- “Counter-culture” is where the students had respected the values of their parents’ generation and wanted socias change which lead to student anti-war protests
- Students used Similar methods to civil rights
campaigners holding sit-ins, boycotts and protest demonstrations and marches, also went on strike (refused going to classes). However as 1960 progressed student demonstrations become more organised, radical, bigger and mare violent. They asso affected other anti-war demonstrations and student protests got media attention mostly because the protesters were largely white and middle class - Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) set up in 1960 and was one of the most significant student groups. By 1965, it had 3,000 members and groups on otter 80 college campuses.
SDs angered many people because they opposed the war and openly supported the North Vietnamese, carried banners of Fidel Castro and chanted “ Hey, hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?”
What was the ‘draft’?
The draft was a compulsory service in the military forces. Those selected for the draft were sent draft cards, telling them where and when to report. Men were drafted from the age of 18
Why was the draft such a controversial issue?
- Growing opposition because it was sending young men wno were not well trained to war
- It also meant that mainly poor families were least able to
- A ‘lottery’ system was introduced in 1969 but this didn’t make it any more popular
it any more popular - In total 650,000 soldiers were draftees with 1 million draftees in reserve
How did students avoid the draft?
- College students could delay being drafted until they graduared
- Studying or working abroad, though this was only possible for families who could afford it
- The only son of a family was exempt
- Conscientious objectors (COS) could avoid fighting but had to do other war work (weapon making) and if they refused they went to prison. 300,000 COs / 170,000 were exempted
How did the media depict the Vietnam war?
- Ordinary Americans saw news footage, documentaries, reports of anti- war protests (such as the 100, 000 strong protests on 21st October 1967 in Washington)
- Also Television showed Americans the war in uncomfortable detail and made them not think abour it
- It became clear the govemment was keeping information from them. even lying to them.
- In 1968, government claimed the Tet Offensive as a success.
However, a CBS news reporter Walter Cronkite came back from Vietnam and told the public it was a stalemate. Hc also said the war looked unwinnable and the US civilians believed Gronkite than the US government
What were the orders for Charlie Company in the My Lai Massacre?
Search and destroy mission, told they would would come under VC fire in My Lai village, which didn’t happen
What were the actions for Charlie Company in the My Lai Massacre?
Over 4 hours, troops led by Lietenant Calley killed all the people and animals. They even stopped for lunch
What was the immediate reaction of the US army in the My Lai Massacre?
Military announce a successful mission saying My Lai base destroyed and 128 killed. soldiers and chiets from mariay report the massacre of nundres of civIlIans
What was the cover up of the US army in the My Lai Massacre?
The army organised a cover-up. After a quick investigation it announced 20 accidental civilian deaths during the mission
What was the enquiry in the My Lai Massacre?
A new enquily began on 15th July 1970, it reported that the army had covered up what really happened at My lai of the massacre of avilians
What was the public reaction to the My Lai Massacre?
The public were horrified by My Lai where the army covering up the massacre and high - ranking. officers were never charged were put into the spotlight
What happened in Calley’s trial?
29th March 1971, Calley was convicted of killing 22 civilians and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Mixed reacted to cally being only one charged. 3th April Nixon changed Calley’s sentence to & years and was released three and a hot years under house arrest on his mulitary base
What happened at Kent University?
May 1 1970 - after Nixon’s announcement of the invasion of Cambodia, peaceful protests began
May 2 - several demonstrations and ORC building on Campus burned down
