4.1: Opposition to the war Flashcards
What was the student movement
Student anti-war orginsations who rejected the attitudes of previous generations and wanted social change
A new ‘counter fulture’ was emerging and students were central to it
8.5 million in 1970
Studnets opposed to drafts
Tv and Media coverage of the Vietnam war 1964-75
Vietnam was the firsr confilct where reporters travelled with troops into the war zone. This brought the Vietnam war into people’s homes ‘media war’.
The media also reported on the large-scale antinwar protests that were spreading across the USA
Impact of media images and footage on opinions at home
Americans started to believe that the TV reporters were being more honest than politicians about Vietnam.
The new reports inspried Americans to be involved and debate issues as the public believed the government woukd keep information secretive.
Additionally, Americans felt that the governemnt misrepresented the progress of the war.
Impact of increased conscription
Widespread public criticism about unfairness, poorest hardest hitting.
Some men refused to join or burnt their cards as ‘draft doodgers’
People moved or stay within an education
What was the Vietnam and the draft system like
Forced men age 18-25 to serve in the military forces. Men who were chosen were sent draft cards telling where to report their duty.
In 1966 first men drafted ‘delinquents’
1969, lottery system replaced the old process for the draft
650,000 in the Vietnam war were draftees.
What was the My Lai Massacre
US troops sent to My Lai in South Vietnam under VC fire.
Over 500 civilians possibly dead after. After returning to base.
When was the My Lai Massacre
When was the My Lai Massacre
16 March 1968
Reaction to the My Lai Massacre
People in the USA were shocked.
The governemnt were accused of witholding information.
Photos of thr massacre released to the CBS News. The public saw this as a horrible cover up
Events during the trial of Lt Calley
Led the military action at My Lai on the day of the massacre. He was carrying out direct orders from his commander.
The Peers Enquiry later round that Calley was indeed following orders snd thatbs high level army is used.
Lt Calley guilty of 22 murders and sentenced to life imprisonment (redcued to 3). No other pfficers faced charges
Significanec of Kent State University Shootings
Photo of the shooting of the student were published across the USA and the workd
Public was shocked and outraged in the USA and worldwide by what had happened.
White-middle class students unarmed and 2 dead bystanders were not involved
Events of Kent State University Shootings
1 May:
Ken States university buried a copy of the US constitution in protest during invasion of Cambodia
2 May:
Several demonstrations and a military training building on campus on fire
3 May:
Mayor declared state of emergency whe nationsl Guard called to seperate the crowds.
4 May:
Officials stopped a planned demonstration (2000 peopel protested). Gas cansiters,debris and hurdles did not retaliate against National Guardsmen. The National guard opened fire on students killing fur and injury lines
When of Kent State University Shootings
1 May 1970
