The student movement in the 1960s and early 1970s Flashcards
Reasons for student protest
• A greater say
- Students wanted a greater say in their own education
- They wanted to bring an end to college rules and restrictions imposed upon them
Reasons for student protest
•Student protest across the world
In late 1960s, there were student protest in Northern Ireland for civil rights for Catholics
In 1968, student demonstrations in Paris that wanted to overthrow the government.
Reasons for student protest
• Vietnam war
The casualty list mounted and the media highlighted US atrocities against Vietnamese civilians
Opposition to the war united the student movement
The SDS during the Vietnam War 1965
It had 100,000 members by the end of the 1960s. Its support increased after President Johnson announced bombing raids on North Vietnam.
Opposition to the war in Vietnam
Opposition grew due to the increasing US death toll and the tactics employed by the US
What happened in Kent State University in 1970?
National Guardsmen killed 4 people.
1) The press in the USA and abroad were horrified.
2) Around 400 colleges were closed because 2 million students went on strike in protest against this action
Failures of the student movement
Student protests and SDS did not bring an end to the war in Vietnam
Success in student movement
• Youth culture
Changes in the lifestyle of the young.
E.g. The young became far more fashion-conscious and determined to move away from the ‘norm’ of the older generation.
Success in student movement
• Vietnam war
They helped to force a shift in government policy and make the withdrawal from Vietnam more likely
Success in student movement
• Publicity
They provided greater publicity and showed that most American youths would no longer tolerate discrimination and segregation.
