Opposition To The War

Question 1

What was the initial reactions to Johnson escalating involvement in war?

Answer 1

Media and public quickly became more concerned. Opposition came from people of every race, class, age and religious belief.

Question 2

Example of people who opposed the Vietnam War?

Answer 2

Martin Luther King. Norman Morrison. Wayne Morse.

Question 3

What was MLK’s views on the war?

Answer 3

Criticised the war privately from 1965. From 1967 he marched and spoke at anti-war protests.

Question 4

Who was Norman Morrison?

Answer 4

On 2nd November, Morrison, a Quaker, burned himself to death outside the Pentagon. (US military headquarters).

Question 5

How can public opinions be measured?

Answer 5

Opinion polls. Politicians. Demonstrations.

Question 6

Short-term factors leading to growing opposition to the war?

Answer 6

Events in Vietnam (e.g Tet Offensive). Presidential policy changes (e.g invading Cambodia)

Question 7

Long-term factors reasons for growing opposition to war?

Answer 7

Rising death toll. Serious injury/loss of family. Length of war. Cost of war (paid for by taxes)-important factor.

Question 8

How many students were there in USA in 1970?

Answer 8

8.5 million.

Question 10

What methods did the students use in protest?

Answer 10

Used similar methods to civil rights campaigners. Held sit-ins, boycotts and protest demonstrations/marches. Also refused to go to classes.

Question 11

Why did many of the students protests get media attention?

Answer 11

Mainly because the protesters were largely white and middle class.

Question 12

Why did the student movement occur?

Answer 12

A significant number of students rejected the values of their parents generation and wanted social change.

Question 13

Who are SDS?

Answer 13

Students for a Democratic Society.

Question 14

What was SDS’s views?

Answer 14

Many not only opposed the war but supported North Vietnam.

Question 15

What was the draft?

Answer 15

Compulsory service to see who will join military in Vietnam.

Question 16

What was the most common age range in the draft?

Answer 16

From 18-26. Usually.

Question 17

Why did people feel the draft was unfair?

Answer 17

People argued draftees were too young and not trained properly. Also argued poor families, black and white were least able to avoid draft.

Question 18

How was draft changed in 1969?

Answer 18

Changed to lottery system. Men born between 1944-50 given random number according to date of birth.

Question 19

How did the lottery draft make the draft more fairer?

Answer 19

Meant same chance as anyone else to be picked.

Question 20

How were ways people avoided the draft?

Answer 20

College students could delay until graduation. Clergymen avoided. Only son exempt. Conscientious objectors e.g make guns for army. Studying/working abroad. Hiding/leaving USA.

Question 21

What was the My Lai Massacre?

Answer 21

On 16 March 1968, US troops went through the village My Lai looking for VC. No one was there but old men, children and women. Despite this they opened fire on all.

Question 22

Who was Lieutenant Calley?

Answer 22

He was the Lieutenant at My Lai who led troops in the 4 hours of killing all people.

Question 23

What made people believe media over government after My Lai?

Answer 23

The government tried to cover up the massacre describing it as a success.

Question 24

What happened to Calley on 5th September 1970?

Answer 24

He was charged with murder.

Question 25

Who are CID?

Answer 25

Criminal investigations Divisions.

Question 26

What did the Peers Enquiry find out?

Answer 26

Calley was ordered by superiors and they covered it up.

Question 27

What was different between Calley and the others charges?

Answer 27

He was the only to be sentenced to a military trial.

Question 28

What was Calleys conviction?

Answer 28

Sentenced to life imprisonment.

Question 29

Why did people find Calleys trial unfair?

What was other people’s view on it?

Answer 29

Because he was only one to stand trial even though acting under orders. Others felt ‘acting under orders’ was unacceptable.

Question 30

What did Nixon do to Calley’s sentence?

Answer 30

Reviewed the case. Ruled that Calleys appeal was heard and should be confined at US military base not prison. Reduced the sentence to 20yrs.

Question 31

How long until Calley was released?

Answer 31

After 3 and a half years under house arrest.

Question 32

What was the Kent State Shootings?

Answer 32

Ohio National guardsmen shot dead 4 unarmed students during a protest on Kent State University Campus.

Question 33

What was significant about 2 of the 9 students killed at Kent State?

Answer 33

2 of the 9 were students who weren’t even protesting. They were just moving to class.

Question 34

How many students at Kent State Shooting were injured?

Answer 34

Nine more students.

Question 35

When was the Kent State Shootings?

Answer 35

4 May 1970.

Question 36

What event happened 4 days before the shootings?

Answer 36

4 days after Nixon’s announcement of US troops being sent to Cambodia.

Question 37

What was the main reason for the public being so horrified by the Kent State Shootings?

Answer 37

Because it involved white, middle-class students.

Question 38

What happened 2 weeks later the Kent Shootings in contrast to the Shootings?

Answer 38

2 weeks later two black students were killed at Jackson State Uni during anti-war protest. There was little reaction.

Question 39

What happened on 2 May at Kent State?

Answer 39

After demonstrations, in the evening the Officer Training Corps building on campus was burned.

Question 40

What did the Mayor declare the Kent State Shootings to be?

Answer 40

Declared an emergency and 900 members of the National Guard arrived with rifles and tear gas.

Question 41

What did the National Guard do during a demonstration?

Answer 41

He couldn’t break them up with tear gas and students threw gas canisters and bricks. The National Guard fired into the crowd.