Antiwar Movements

Antiwar Movements

Antiwar Movements occurred throughout the America. Disputes over the decisions made by President Lyndon Johnson and President Richard Nixon concluded in nationwide protests. These protests were extremely influential in the ultimate decision of withdrawal.

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The Hawks and the Doves

By 1968, American involvement in the Vietnam War peaked. There were two extreme ends regarding the opinions of Americans. A fine line formed between the ones who had fully supported American involvement and ones that strongly opposed it.

The ones that did approve of *President Johnson*'s decisions composed of nearly a quarter of the nation's population. These people were called the "Hawks." The Hawks believed that the US could win if bombings over North Vietnam was increased dramatically. However, *Johnson* was firmly opposed to this advice. He and his advisors did not wish to provoke China and the Soviet Union, who they did not have a friendly relationship with at the time.

The "Doves", who made up the majority of the country, firmly opposed *Johnson*'s decision of escalating the war and wished to end the involvement in Vietnam. The Doves were much more vocal then the Hawks as they publicized their opinions through antiwar protests.

Campus Rallies

Antiwar demonstrations occurred in many college campuses. The students who took part on them hoped to slow down the escalation of the war at Vietnam. Teach-ins, which were large public protests, were staged. Beginning at the University of Michigan on March 24, 1965, the teach-in protests spread throughout the country.

Teach-in demonstrations were widely held, so an organization was founded to unite these protesters. This group was called the Inter-University Committee for a Public Hearing on Vietnam. The organization arranged a nationwide teach-in demonstration that would be broadcasted on the television and radio. This publicized the protesters view on the war and diminished the support that others had for the war.

By the late 1960s, the antiwar activists in campuses resorted to rallies and riots. These demonstrations would soon lead to tragedy, as the confrontation of the police and students resulted in violence. Some riots that occurred were at colleges were the ones at Jackson State College, Columbia University, and the infamous Kent State.

These antiwar demonstrations would soon prove to be an important factor in influencing the government's decision to withdraw from Vietnam. Although tragedies occurred, the protests publicized the opinions of the youth of the United States.

The Counterculture

From the early 1960s to the early 1970s, American youths created the counterculture. The counterculture was a alternative society that was based on peace, love, and freedom. The people who took part in this culture opposed violence and war. The symbols of the counterculture era were sex, drugs, and protests.

The counterculture was made up of people who were known as hippies. These young people condemned materialism, convention, and authority. They enjoyed rock music, long hair, tie-dyed clothing, and freely experimented with drugs and sex. The peak of the counterculture was represented by the Woodstock Festival, which was a music festival where people gathered to celebrate peace and love.

As the counterculture became widespread, activists formed organizations that protested the political policies of the US. One such group was the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Student protesters criticized social injustice, lack civil rights, and the Vietnam War. These groups often resorted to violence to rally against American involvement in Vietnam.

The counterculture was an alternative to the traditional society. The supporters of the counterculture were able to challenge the US government and voiced their own opinions.

Effect of the Antiwar Movements

The Antiwar Movements strongly contributed to the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. These demonstrations publicized the protesters opinions and eventually, diminished the amount of support the nation had to continue the war.

Throughout the entire war, the US Government was careful in keeping a wide support for US intervention, as was stated in the Pentagon Papers. Lies pertaining to the progress of the war were fabricated, in order to reassure to the American public that victory was inevitable. But as the total casualties began to increase, the *Doves* became more vocal over their opinions.

The media and college students assisted the Doves in spreading their message of peace, as more and more demonstrations appeared throughout the news and campuses. Following the Pentagon Papers, the amount of the Hawks was minute. Public support declined and Nixon finally began the withdrawal of troops, heeding to the calls of the protesters.

Antiwar movements were an important factor in the government's ultimate decision of Vietnamization. The ability of these protesters to influence the decision made by the President shows that broadcasting one's opinion is a beneficial weapon.

Many antiwar demonstrations resulted in violence. Activists believed that they must resort to violence in order to receive more attention, which would consequently, help influence the policymakers decisions concerning the Vietnam War.

List of antiwar demonstrations:

Teach-Ins:

On October 28, 1965, another teach-in was held at the Eisner and Lubin auditorium in Loeb Student Center. The topics range from the Vietnam War to the Watts Riots.

In March 1967, nearly 300 students attended a teach-in held to discuss the issues of the war in Vietnam, including America's involvement, NYU's participation in the war effort, and university reform.

Protest Against Dow Chemical Company:

napalm

On March 6, 1968, around 500 NYU students showed up to protest against Dow Chemical, as they returned to administer interviews.

The March on the Pentagon:

The March on the Pentagon was an antiwar demonstration, organized by the Student Mobilization Committee that had taken place on October 21, 1967. The protesters occupied the Pentagon steps and were beaten and jailed. 1500 students sent from New York University to attend the demonstration were arrested.

International Student and Faculty Strike to Bring Troops Home (1968):

From April 22-27, of 1968, the SDS and CEWV sponsor the International Student and Faculty Strike to Bring the Troops Home. The demonstration consisted of antiwar protests, discussions, a boycott of classes on Friday, April 26, and a march down Fifth Avenue.

Columbia University:

From April 23-27, 1968, a demonstration led by Columbia SDS launches an unprecedented antiwar demonstration at Columbia University. Three school officials were taken hostage for 24 hours. The protesters occupied five of Columbia University's buildings, including the university president's office. 1000 policemen were sent to violently clear the buildings.

Chicago Democratic National Convention:

From August 19 to August 25 of 1968, 5000 citizens rallied outside the Chicago Democratic National Convention to protest the presidential nomination of pro-war Hubert Humphrey. 12000 police, 7500 Army troops, and 6000 National Guardsmen arrived at the incident, resulting in violence. Mace, tear gas, and rocks were thrown into the air, while the police used their nightsticks to strike protesters. However, these protesters were not the only beaten and arrested. Many reporters, camera operators, and bystanders were all involved in the riot.

Disruptment of Speeches:

Following this incident, the SDS continued to disrupt the speech given by James Reston, executive editor of the New York Times. The activists used a sofa to break open the locks leading to the auditorium. Reston left the Center after confronting them.

Kent State Shootings:

On May 4, 1970, the students attending Kent State University were continuing their protests against United States involvement in the Vietnam War. While the students waved their peace flag, hundreds National Guard troops were dispatched onto the scene for containment.

Soon, gunshots flared through the air, leading to the death of four students and wounding nine. The entire nation was stunned as to the measures the government had proceeded to do; firing rounds at unarmed college students. Following the dreadful incident, Nixon stated, "When dissent turns to violence, it invites tragedy."

News of the Kent State massacre spread across the country. The tragedy initiated a wave of antiwar protests in many of the nation's campuses. As a result, hundreds of colleges and universities were disrupted or shut down entirely.

Ohio Gov. James Rhodes stated at a press conference on the eve of the shootings, "They're worse than the brownshirts and the communist element. We can stop them with gunfire if necessary." This showed that the country's politicians viewed the students to be worse than who they were at war against, the same students who were fighting for the right thing; to leave Vietnam.

Jackson State Shootings:

On May 14-15, 1970, a rally was held in Jackson State College disputing Nixon's decision to invade Cambodia and to honor the tragedy at Kent State. Rocks were thrown, trucks were overturned, and several fires were set. The firemen who were harassed by the rioters, requested police back up. The police then received a report that there had been gunfire present at the college. 75 policemen and Mississippi State Police were dispatched to contain the riot. As the officers approached the students, many of the students began to toss bricks and bottles at them. An officer was struck and fell onto the ground. The police, assuming that a gun was fired, began to open fire on the students. When the gunfire halted, a student and a adolescent laid dead on the floor. Twelve other Jackson State students were struck by the gunfire. Following the entire incident, none of the officers were convicted nor arrested.

Bombings across the Nation

Many antiwar activists terrorized the entire nation. One particular organization was the "Weathermen Underground," and was a division of the Revolutionary Youth Movement and the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The Weathermen set off bombs, between the years 1967 to 1970, throughout the country as a way to broadcast their message. Nearly 5000 bombings were set off, according to the US Treasury. One of their many targets was the University of Wisconsin's Army Mathematics Research Center, which resulted in the death of an innocent student.

Photos Courtesy of Archive Photos