Opposition to the War Flashcards
What was the initial response to the war at home?
Most people supported US involvement in Vietnam due to fear of Communism and the Cold War and patriotism.
However, MLK was a critic, three protestors burned themselves to death in 1965, and opposition generally grew as involvement did under Nixon. In 1967, the “Vietnam Veterans Against the War” was set up.
What short term factors led to opposition growth?
- Events in Vietnam (e.g. the TET Offensive)
- Presidential policy changes (e.g. invading Cambodia)
What long term factors led to opposition growth?
- Rising death toll
- Risk of loss / injury to family and friends
- Cost of the war became more relevant as involvement grew
- Some black Americans including Mohammad Ali refused to fight in the face of racism
- Media representation
Why did student opposition grow?
- Student numbers grew greatly throughout the 1960s
- “Counter-culture” - younger generation wanted social change and challenged their parents’ views
- Students held sit-ins, boycotts, protest marches, went on strike. Many burned their draft cards.
- SDS - Students for a Democratic Society - set up in 1960 and gave speeches against the war
What was the draft?
A compulsory service, where men aged 18-26 were sent a draft card, recieved training and sent to fight. In 1969, it was changed to a lottery system meaning ages were mixed (fairer selections).
Why was the draft controversial?
- It involved sending ill-trained young men to war
- Poor families were unable to avoid it
How could the draft be avoided?
- College students could delay being drafted until after graduation
- Only sons were exempt
- Conscientious objectors could avoid fighting but still had to support
How did TV coverage change the war?
- It showcased anti-war protests to the nation such as the October 1967 Washington protest
- War was shown in uncomfortable and graphic detail
- People realised the government was hiding information from them - e.g. the TET Offensive was exposed by reporter Walter Cronkite
What happened at the My Lai massacre?
- Orders for Charlie Company (US troops) - search and destroy mission where they were expected to come under fire in My Lai village which didn’t happen.
- Actions of Charlie Company - killed all people and animals in the village. Everything was photographed.
- Army reaction - the massacre was announced as a success. It was reported by some soldiers and local chiefs.
- Cover up - the army covered it up by announcing 20 accidental deaths.
What happened as a result of the massacre?
- Enquiry - Ron Rindenhour used eyewitness evidence to try and expose the army for their cover up
- Public reaction - immense public outcry in response to both the massacre and the cover up
- Trial - Liutenant Calley who led the massacre was charged with murder and sentenced to life imprisonment
What happened at Kent State Uni in May 1970?
- May 1 - after Nixon announced the invasion of Cambodia, peaceful protests began
- May 2 - the Officer Training Corps building was burned down on campus and the mayor declared an emergency. Almost 1000 armed soldiers arrived
- May 3 - several demonstrations broken up by the National Guard using tear gas
- May 4 - officials banned a planned demonstration and 2000 ignored it. The National Guard opened fire, 4 students were killed.
Why did political opposition increase?
- Many politicians were pacifists
- Many saw the war as unwinnable
- Extremely expensive
- Damaged US reputation abroad / in the Cold War
How did Congress oppose the war?
- They limited funding
- They repealed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution
- They set a date for the final withdrawl
