Opposition to the Vietnam War Flashcards
also just for mocks! add to vietnam war deck? later??? idk maybe
What were the main sources of opposition to the Vietnam War?
BADSACKA
- Student protests
- Veterans associations
- Civil rights movement
- Anti-war songs
- Student associations
- Dodging the draft
How did the civil rights movement oppose the war?
In 1967, MLK declared he opposed the Vietnam War as too much money was spent in Vietnam instead of in the US on it’s social issues
Black Americans were unfairly drafted
Muhammad Ali famously refused the draft
What happened at Kent State University and when?
In 1970, students protested against Nixon’s widening of the war into Cambodia, the National Guard were called and 4 students were shot dead
What was the effect of the Kent State protests?
- 2 million students refused to attend classes and 400 campuses were closed
- A photograph of Jeffrey Miller’s dead body became a symbol of opposition in worldwide news
- 100,000 people protested in Washington DC against the war and the handling of the Kent State protests
How did people dodge the draft?
They burnt draft cards or moved abroad, for example to Canada
What did student associations do and why?
Organised protests and ensured there would be press coverage
Many students had friends in Vietnam, the draft affected those aged 18-26
Why were veterans associations effective opposition to the war?
They had first-hand experience of fighting, and were respected more than students and hippies
How did anti-war songs oppose the war?
Spread their message across the US, songs included “Hey hey LBJ”
How did My Lai increase opposition to the war?
People were shocked that US soldiers would act so cruelly, decreased trust in government and made people question if the US were the ‘good’ side
How did the Tet Offensive increase opposition to the war?
People began to question if the US were really winning the war, decreased trust in government
How did chemical warfare increase opposition to the war?
News coverage of ‘Napalm girl’ made people question if the US were the ‘good’ side
When did opposition to the war start increasing?
From 1964, when land troops were sent into Vietnam for the first time
When did the draft start?
1969
When was the My Lai massacre?
1968
When was the Tet Offensive?
1968
