Continued Opposition To The War Flashcards
What two events led to massive public outcry about the Vietnam War
The My Lai Massacre of 1968 and the Kent State University shootings in 1970
When was the My Lai Massacre
16 March 1968
Why were US troops in the village of My Lai
The US troops were sent to the village , told they would come under Vietcong fire
Who did the US troops find in the My Lai village
They found only women, children and old men in the village
What did the US troops do to the people of the My Lai village
They killed everyone they could find.
At least 347 possibly over 500 as well as their animals
How did the My Lai massacre spread to the news
Photographer Ron Haeberle , a war photographer, accomoanied by soldiers took photos of what happened
What was the public reaction to the massacre
People in the USA were not sure what to believe .
Government accused of withholding info.
Photos of the massacre released by CBS News in December and the public saw this as evidence as a serious cover up - US public were horrified
Who was Lt Calley
Lt Calley led the military action at My Lai on the day of the massacre.He claimed he had been acting on direct orders from hia seniors, where the massacre was carried out
What happened to Lt Calley
The Peers Enquiry later found that Calley was indeed acting on dorect orders and that the high level army officers , including generals, were involved in the cover up
What was Lt Calley found guilty of
22 murders and sentenced to life imprisonment
Events at Kent State University shootings, - 1 May
In Ohio, a group of Kent State University students buried a copy of the US constitution in protest of Nixon’s decision to send US troops to Cambodia
Events at Kwnt State University - 2 May
There were several demonstartiona and a military training building was set ablaze
Events at Kwnt State University - 3 May
Number of protestors swelled to over 1000 and the mayor declared an emergency.
900 members of the National Guard were called out, armed with rifles and tear gas.Tear gas was used
Events at Kent State University - 4 May
Officials stopped aplanned demonstration but 2000 people protested anyway.
Tear gas dis not break them up the crowd and they hurled empty canisters and debris at the National Guardmen.
The guards opened fire on the students.
Killing 4
Injuring 9
Why sid the Kent State shooting cause an outcry
Photos of the shootings of the students were published across the USA and the world
