growing peace movement

• what was the growing peace movement in USA?

  -peace movement against war that began to grow in late 60s
• when did it begin to grow significantly?

  -between 1965 and 1967

  -Coinciding with start op rolling thunder
• where did the peace movement in USA grow?

  -all over US

  -1967 saw over 100,000 protesters at Lincoln memorial in Washington
• why did did the peace movement grow?

  -some questioned morality of USs involvement

  -broadcast of images from war impact on peoples views

  -war was costing lots in lives and money

  -draft system was unfair

  -civil rights impacted peoples views
• morality


  -Asked why America was involved with the affairs of another country

  -America was not helping south Vietnam defend itself it was attacking North Vietnam
• role of TV


  -Helped move public opinion against the war

  -Saw young soldiers being killed or injured

  -Saw victims of napalm, search and destroy and agent orange
• role of civil rights

  -Martin luther king spoke against war in 1967

  -felt war was immoral and money should be spent on domestic programmes to improve Americans lives

  -spoke about inequalities of recruitment of troops
• cost of war role

  -by 1967 war was costing US 30 billion a year

  -by 1967 casualties had reached 15000 dead and 100000 injured

  -other important areas of economy were neglected
• draft role


  -many young men were forced to fight a war they didn't agree with

  -some moved countries to avoid draft

  -some burned draft cards in protest

  -many refused to fight and were called "draft dodgers"
• US tactics role


  -operation rolling thunder in 1965 increased anti war feeling

  -people didn't agree with the aggressive bombing of north Vietnam
• how did Tet offensive increase anti war feel?

  -even after all the money US had spent on war Vietcong still easily attacked US embassy in Saigon

  -Many cities were destroyed and civilians and soldiers killed

  -US public did not want to be associated with this destruction
• how did people protest?

  -many young men burnt there draft cards publicly

  -October 1967 100,000 people protested at Washington Lincoln memorial

  -Singers wrote anti-war songs
• what was the impact of the growing peace movement?

  -personal criticism against Johnson made him declare he would not run for next election in 1968

  -significant factor in USAs withdrawal from vietnam