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Timeline |
| -1960-1963 |
| -1964-1967 |
| -1968-1973 |
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| An Antiwar Movement Timeline: 1960-1973
1960-1963 - These four years were relatively quiet years, in terms for antiwar activity. However, following the death of President Kennedy in 1963, an outgrowth of protests, demonstrations against the Vietnam War started to arise throughout the nation. The Civil Rights movement was in full strength by the end of 1963 and eventually led to Congress passing the Civil Rights Act in 1964, guaranteeing equality among all U.S. citizens. At this time, the Antiwar Movement was merely in its infancy. No one ever suspected that a few demonstrators would be able to turn this nation's involvement in a war, rallying the public together to oppose the war in Vietnam. 1964-1967 - The years between 1964-1967 marked major escalation of U.S. troops in Vietnam. Following the Gulf of Tonkin incident, the U.S. had an excuse to enter into the war, and to deploy land troops into Vietnam. Antiwar protests being to take place throughout the campuses as many began to wonder why the United States is involved in this war. The Johnson administration takes an adamant charge into Vietnam, committing hundreds of thousands of troops into South Vietnam. 1968-1973 - Despite growing public discontent, the Nixon administration refused to give up the effort in Vietnam. Nixon, in a speech to the nation, said "We cannot let the United States be humiliated..." So the Vietnam effort continued. However, the antiwar movement, at this time, was at its height. These dissenters, called the "silent majority" refused to accept the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Under the pressure of these antiwar activists, a policy of descalation took place, withdrawing American troops from Vietnam. Eventually, a peace treaty was signed in 1973 declaring the independent nations of South and North Vietnam. Sources: |
