Kent State University Shootings Flashcards
What news prompted protests at colleges and universities across the USA?
On Thursday 30th April 1970, president Nixon went on national television and radio to announce that US troops had invaded Vietnam’s neighbour, Cambodia
What did the US commit to Cambodia?
20,000 ground troops
What were the 20,000 ground troops fighting against in Cambodia?
The communist Khmer Rouge movement under Pol Pot
What happened over the weekend after Nixon announced the invasion of Cambodia?
Clashes between protestors and local police
Included windows being smashed and police cars being hit with bottles
Why did the Mayor of Kent appeal to the Ohio state governor for help?
He was fearing more violence
What did the Ohio state government do?
Sent around 1000 Ohio National Guardsman to help stop further disturbances
What did the university try to do?
Ban Monday’s demonstration
It went ahead as planned
By noon on the 4th May 1970, how many people had gathered at the university?
Around 3000:
Around 1500 demonstrators and approximately 1500 bystanders
What happened shortly after noon?
The demonstration descended into violence
Rocks were thrown by students
What did the National Guardsmen do to try and stop the demonstrations?
Fired tear gas in an attempt to break up the crowds
What did some of the panicking guardsmen do?
At 12.24pm they opened fire and shot between 61 and 67 bullets into the crowd
How many were killed and injured?
4 Kent State students killed (2 bystanders)
9 more people injured
What did news of the shootings do?
Shock the nation
Why did hundreds of colleges and universities close?
2 million students refused to attend classes
What students demonstrated?
Students at Kent State University in Ohio
