Anti-war Movement during the Vietnam Era

By David Youngblood

1. History of the War 2. History of the Anti-war Movement 3. Impact of the Movement on Society 4. Impact of music on the Anti-war Movement 5. Work Cited

Table of Contents

May, 1963 the troops in Vietnam reaches a total of 50,000 Jan 1966 thru Oct 1968 - US bombs dropped on N. Vietnam total over

600,000 tons End 1968 - "Draftees" accounted for 38% of all American troops in Vietnam 4 May 70 - 4 Kent State college students were shot to death by Ohio

National Guardsmen during an anti-war protest on the campus. This lead to widening anti-war protests

7 Oct 70 - President Nixon announced a new 5-point peace plan 12 Nov 71 - President Nixon announced a troop withdrawal of 45,000 more

troops 27 Jan 73 - Official end of the Vietnam War.  

(Vietnam)

History of the War

“ Fortunate Son” - Creedence Clearwater Revivalhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUUYlztf064

History of the War

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was founded in 1960, and was made up of students◦ SDS originally focused on domestic issues but as time progresses they

advanced to the anti-war movement (Barringer). In 1964, at the University of California, Free Speech Movement

(FSM) was founded, and it helped to bridge the gap between the Civil rights movement and the Anti-war campaign (Barringer).

4 May 1970 - 4 Kent State college students were shot to death by Ohio National Guardsmen during an anti-war protest on the campus. This lead to widening anti-war protests (Vietnam).

History of the movement

 On 17 April 1965, between 15,000 and 25,000 people gathered at the capital, a turnout that surprised even the organizers (Barringer).◦ These demonstrations were primarily made up of students, and

were in protest towards the government and their bombing of North Vietnam.

◦ This was start of the anti-war movement and what was to come.

In November of 1969 a second march on Washington drew an estimated 500,000 participant (Barringer).

History of the Movement

In November of 1969 a second march on Washington drew an estimated 500,000 participant (Barringer).◦ This movement was able to gather more participants more than

the first march on Washington.◦Much of the increase in the size of the march was due to the

public’s encouragement and the Civil Right leaders joining the Anti-war movement.

◦ This march on Washington was different than the first time they marched… the birth of the “Hippie” era.

History of the Movement

“Turn! Turn! Turn!” by the Byrds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHvf20Y6eoM.

The second march was 500,000 members, but it was not the cleanly dressed SDS members that marched in 1968.

This march was also a showing of the counterculture movement that promoted music (Rock N Roll), sex, and drugs.

This was the birth of the Hippies.

History of the Movement

“Get Together”- the Youngbloods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4fWN6VvgKQ

The official name of the second march was termed the Vietnam Moratorium protests that went across the country (Barringer).

The march included 500,000 in Washington, and 150,000 in San Francisco.◦ These movements were inspirational enough to get the

majority of the public to back the anti-war movement, as well as to discredit the Government.

History of the Movement

The Demonstrations partnered with the governments’ inability to keep their promises, led to President Nixon being forced to attempt to stop the movement in multiple ways.◦mobilizing supporters◦ smearing the movement◦ tracking it◦ withdrawing U.S. troops from Vietnam◦ instituting a draft lottery ◦ eventually ending draft calls

(Barringer)

History of the Movement

“San Francisco” –Scott Mckenzie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bch1_Ep5M1s

“All Along the Watchtower” –Jimi Hendrix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bng3agUOYiI

4 May 1970 - 4 Kent State college students were shot to death by Ohio National Guardsmen during an anti-war protest on the campus. This lead to widening anti-war protests (Vietnam).

Partnered with President Nixon revoking his promise of withdrawing troops, but rather entering Cambodia, led to more protest nation wide.

History of the Movement

“Mr. President have Pitty” Randy Newman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY-ooWam5JM

Following all the previous protest, there was one final protest in the spring of 1971, 500,00 participants marched on Washington to show their disapproval of the governments actions (Barringer).◦ This anti-war movement was the most successful movement

that has been used to protest the government.

History of the Movement

“Hey Joe”-Jimi Hendrix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mBjG9chIFw

The demonstration in 1971, was one of the last times there was an organized march during the war.

Shortly after the march, the government began to withdrawal the troops from Vietnam.◦With the withdrawal of troops, the anti-war movement slowly

died out and dispersed.

History of the Movement

The anti-war movement was the most successful in history

The movement was able to rally a whole nation to help to change the government’s participation in a major war.

Impact of the Movement on Society

Music has always been an inspiration to cultures. The anti-war movement was able to use music to rally

behind them. Musical artist were able to use specific words to help

ignite a fight in the public and in the anti-war movement.

Without music, the anti-war movement would not have been nearly as successful.

Impact of Music

“What the World Needs Now” – Jackie Deshannon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMS2uMUQNnQ

“Sweet Home Alabama”-Lynyrd Skynyrd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rnFKo4PAE

- Written in 1973, towards the very end of the war and the anti-war movement.

Impact of Music

“Free Bird” Lynyrd Skynyrd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0solnL1XY

Barringer, Mark and Wells, Tom. “ The Anti-War Movement in the United States.” Illinois.edu. 1999. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/antiwar.html.

“Vietnam War Timeline.” Land Scaper.net. 24, March 2009.http://www.landscaper.net/timelin.htm.

Work Cited