Chapter 8- opposition to war

• why did media coverage cause opposition ?

  • images & stories on civilian casualties
  • poor discipline
  • drug taking
  • army was widely reported on TV
• why did losing the war cause opposition ?

  • Vietcong were still strong
  • confidence was being damaged
• why did politicians cause opposition ?

  • huge amount of money had been spent on the war
  • politicians argues that they should be spent in other things
• why did lack of support cause opposition ?

  • south's government was corrupt & brutal
  • south's government wasnt supported
• why di civil rights movement cause opposition ?

  • leaders spoke against the war
  • racial inequality in the army
• why did casualties cause opposition ?

  • shock of number of dead & injured
  • average age of soldiers killed was 23
• why were students anti-war ?

  • to them it symbolised control & power
  • they wanted to rebel against this
  • many anti war demonstrations happened
  • many of these ended in violence
• describe the importance of media

  • houses with TV's increased
  • it became the main way of receiving news
  • new tech like cameras became more common so war was displayed in full colour
  • to begin media coverage was positive, then soldiers started meeting with journalists
• what happened in April 1970 ?

  • Nixon announces invasion into Cambodia
  • protests begin to take place
• what happened at Kent state university ?

  • 2/3 May - clashes between students and police, mayor of Kent requests Ohio help and send more guardsmen
  • 4 May - 1500 demonstaters at the unit & 1500 bystanders, turned violent (rocks thrown, tear gas), guardsmen shot into crowd killing 4 and injuring 9
• what were the consequences of the Kent state shooting ?

  • shocked nation
  • across the US 2 million students refused to attend class
  • similar incident at Jackson state college
  • concluded by government as ' inexcusable, unwarranted and unnecessary '
  • 8 guardsmen arrested
• give an example of a negative news story 


  battle of hamburger hill, 70 UsS killed & 400 injured trying to control hill
• give an example of negative news stories in the New York times 


  June 1971 - leaked secret reports or US lying about involvement in war
• give an example of a negative news story in the life magazine

  published names of 242 soldiers killed during one week of fighting
• give an example of a negative news story representing poor morale

  coverage of My Lai damaged US reputation
• describe the Watergate scandal

  • Nixon was related to a burglary at hi rival parties offices (democrats)
  • when his role in the scandal came to light he resigned
  • led many to question countries leadership
  • Americans were already unhappy with the war