domestic context of vietnam an antiwar movement in the us pits supporters of the government's...
TRANSCRIPT
Domestic Context of Vietnam Domestic Context of Vietnam
An antiwar movement in the US pits supporters of the An antiwar movement in the US pits supporters of the government's war policy against those who oppose it.government's war policy against those who oppose it.
The ideals and lifestyle of the counterculture movement The ideals and lifestyle of the counterculture movement challenge the traditional views of Americans.challenge the traditional views of Americans.
(Corresponds to 22.3)(Corresponds to 22.3)
Anti-War MovementAnti-War Movement
Counterculture challenges traditional American Counterculture challenges traditional American viewsviewsGreat Society SuffersGreat Society Suffers– $6 billion funding cut for Great Society $6 billion funding cut for Great Society – War more costly War more costly – Inflation rate risingInflation rate rising
LBJ raises taxesLBJ raises taxes– pay for warpay for war– check inflationcheck inflation
Living Room WarLiving Room War
Combat footage on TV news showsCombat footage on TV news shows
““Credibility gap” b/w LBJ reports & eventsCredibility gap” b/w LBJ reports & events
Senate hearings add doubts about warSenate hearings add doubts about war
"Manipulatable" Draft"Manipulatable" Draft
Selective Service System Selective Service System – Men 18-26 for service Men 18-26 for service
Many look for ways to avoid draftMany look for ways to avoid draftWhite & rich get college defermentWhite & rich get college deferment80% of soldiers from lower SES80% of soldiers from lower SES
– Socioeconomic Socioeconomic
African Americans in VietnamAfrican Americans in Vietnam
Blacks serve in disproportionate numbersBlacks serve in disproportionate numbers – Especially in ground combat Especially in ground combat
DOD institutes draft lottery in 1969DOD institutes draft lottery in 1969
Racial tensions high in unitsRacial tensions high in units– Add to low moraleAdd to low morale
Women Join the RanksWomen Join the Ranks10,000 women serve as military nurses 10,000 women serve as military nurses
Many volunteer: American Red Cross, Many volunteer: American Red Cross, United Services OrganizationUnited Services Organization
Young People MobilizeYoung People Mobilize
New LeftNew Left– Demand sweeping changesDemand sweeping changes
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)Free Speech Movement (FSM) Free Speech Movement (FSM) – Criticize big business, governmentCriticize big business, government– Want individual freedomWant individual freedom
Campus activism risesCampus activism rises– Students protestStudents protest– Ideas spread to collegesIdeas spread to colleges
Movement GrowsMovement Grows
1965 protest marches draw thousands1965 protest marches draw thousands
1966 DOD needs good grades for deferment1966 DOD needs good grades for deferment
SDS tells students to:SDS tells students to:– Engage in civil disobedienceEngage in civil disobedience– Go abroadGo abroad
Some veterans do protestSome veterans do protest
Protest to ResistanceProtest to Resistance
Protests increase – Protests increase – become violentbecome violent
Men burn draft cardsMen burn draft cards
Men refuse to serve Men refuse to serve – Some flee to CanadaSome flee to Canada
War Divides the NationWar Divides the Nation
Doves oppose warDoves oppose war– Believe US should withdrawBelieve US should withdraw
Hawks favor warHawks favor war– Send in forces to winSend in forces to win
1967 1967 – Majority of Americans support warMajority of Americans support war– Consider protesters disloyalConsider protesters disloyal
Johnson Remains DeterminedJohnson Remains Determined
LBJ slows escalationLBJ slows escalation– Criticized by hawks and dovesCriticized by hawks and doves
Stalemate leads McNamara’s resignationStalemate leads McNamara’s resignation