The Vietnam War:The Vietnam War:Political DivisionsPolitical Divisions

Mr. DodsonMr. Dodson

Political DivisionsPolitical Divisions

What role did students play in the What role did students play in the protest movements of the 1960s?protest movements of the 1960s?

Why did President Johnson decide Why did President Johnson decide not to seek reelection?not to seek reelection?

How did the Vietnam War affect the How did the Vietnam War affect the election of 1968?election of 1968?

The Vietnam War created deep The Vietnam War created deep divisions in the Democratic Party divisions in the Democratic Party and in the nation as a whole.and in the nation as a whole.

Student ActivismStudent ActivismStudent Activism in the 1960sStudent Activism in the 1960s Generation GapGeneration Gap — Young Americans in the 1960s had — Young Americans in the 1960s had

many opportunities unknown to previous generations; many opportunities unknown to previous generations; many also questioned the values of their parents. These many also questioned the values of their parents. These factors contributed to a wider factors contributed to a wider generation gapgeneration gap between between college-aged youths and their parents.college-aged youths and their parents.

The civil rights movement became a steppingstone to The civil rights movement became a steppingstone to other movements for change. Civil rights activists were other movements for change. Civil rights activists were among those who helped organize Students for a among those who helped organize Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in 1960. Democratic Society (SDS) in 1960.

Students for a Democratic Society and the New LeftStudents for a Democratic Society and the New Left — — Organized in 1960, Students for a Democratic Society Organized in 1960, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) had a major impact on the (SDS) had a major impact on the New LeftNew Left, a political , a political movement that advocated radical changes to deal with movement that advocated radical changes to deal with problems such as poverty and racism.problems such as poverty and racism.

Port Huron StatementPort Huron Statement

Read the passage below to answer question 5.Read the passage below to answer question 5.““We are people of this generation, bred in at least We are people of this generation, bred in at least

modest comfort, housed now in universities, modest comfort, housed now in universities, looking uncomfortably at the world we inherit. looking uncomfortably at the world we inherit. When we were kids the United States was the When we were kids the United States was the wealthiest and strongest country in the world…. wealthiest and strongest country in the world…. As we grew, however, our comfort was penetrated As we grew, however, our comfort was penetrated by events too troubling to dismiss…. We would by events too troubling to dismiss…. We would replace power rooted in possession, privilege, or replace power rooted in possession, privilege, or circumstance by power and uniqueness rooted in circumstance by power and uniqueness rooted in love, reflectiveness, reason, and creativity. As a love, reflectiveness, reason, and creativity. As a social system we seek the establishment of a social system we seek the establishment of a democracy of individual participation.”democracy of individual participation.”

Student ActivismStudent Activism

Student Activism in the 1960sStudent Activism in the 1960s The Free Speech MovementThe Free Speech Movement — Student protests for free — Student protests for free

speech at the University of California at Berkeley inspired speech at the University of California at Berkeley inspired similar movements elsewhere, including challenges to similar movements elsewhere, including challenges to social restrictions on campuses.social restrictions on campuses.

The Teach-in MovementThe Teach-in Movement — Begun at the University of — Begun at the University of Michigan in March 1965, Michigan in March 1965, teach-insteach-ins, or special sessions or , or special sessions or proceedings at which professors and others aired opinions proceedings at which professors and others aired opinions and discussion issues concerning the war, soon became a and discussion issues concerning the war, soon became a popular means of expressing antiwar sentiment. popular means of expressing antiwar sentiment.

Continued ProtestsContinued Protests — Hundreds of demonstrations — Hundreds of demonstrations continued at colleges and universities around the country. continued at colleges and universities around the country. One of the most dramatic, at Columbia University in New One of the most dramatic, at Columbia University in New York City, linked the issues of civil rights and the war.York City, linked the issues of civil rights and the war.

Draft ResistanceDraft Resistance

To increase the available fighting force, To increase the available fighting force, the United States invoked the Selective the United States invoked the Selective Service Act of 1951, drafting young men Service Act of 1951, drafting young men between the ages of 18 and 26 into the between the ages of 18 and 26 into the armed forces.armed forces.

Most of those who refused to be drafted Most of those who refused to be drafted in the early 1960s were in the early 1960s were conscientious conscientious objectorsobjectors, people who opposed fighting , people who opposed fighting on moral or religious grounds.on moral or religious grounds.

Draft ResistanceDraft Resistance As the Vietnam War As the Vietnam War

progressed, the draft-progressed, the draft-resistance movement grew, resistance movement grew, with many young men burning with many young men burning their draft cards or fleeing the their draft cards or fleeing the country to avoid the draft.country to avoid the draft.

At first, college students could At first, college students could receive a receive a defermentdeferment, or , or postponement of their call to postponement of their call to serve. serve.

Deferments were eliminated Deferments were eliminated in 1971 in response to in 1971 in response to complaints that they were complaints that they were unfair to those who could not unfair to those who could not afford college.afford college.

Draft RegistrationDraft Registration  Since the Civil War, the U.S. has used a   Since the Civil War, the U.S. has used a draft in wartime to meet its military needs. During the Vietnam draft in wartime to meet its military needs. During the Vietnam War, about 1.8 million men were drafted between 1964 and War, about 1.8 million men were drafted between 1964 and 1973. Because college students could receive draft deferments, 1973. Because college students could receive draft deferments, a large proportion of draftees were young men from minority a large proportion of draftees were young men from minority communities who were too poor to afford college. Reacting to communities who were too poor to afford college. Reacting to complaints about the system, Congress eliminated the complaints about the system, Congress eliminated the deferment in 1971.deferment in 1971.

Another effort to make the draft more evenhanded was the Another effort to make the draft more evenhanded was the lottery system instituted in 1969. This random drawing lottery system instituted in 1969. This random drawing determined how likely a young man was to be called for military determined how likely a young man was to be called for military service. Despite these changes, opposition to the draft service. Despite these changes, opposition to the draft continued. Some young men burned their draft cards in protest. continued. Some young men burned their draft cards in protest. Thousands even left the country to avoid the draft. In 1973, Thousands even left the country to avoid the draft. In 1973, Congress ended the draft, and the United States converted to Congress ended the draft, and the United States converted to an all-volunteer military force. an all-volunteer military force.

Today male citizens ages 18 through 25 are required by law to Today male citizens ages 18 through 25 are required by law to register with the Selective Service System. In a national crisis, if register with the Selective Service System. In a national crisis, if the country needs more soldiers than an all-volunteer service the country needs more soldiers than an all-volunteer service can provide, the draft can be resumed. can provide, the draft can be resumed.

Why do you think the government requires draft Why do you think the government requires draft registration?registration?(Place your answer on your worksheet.)(Place your answer on your worksheet.)

The Living Room WarThe Living Room War Television played a major role in influencing public Television played a major role in influencing public

opinion. Nightly news broadcasts brought the Vietnam opinion. Nightly news broadcasts brought the Vietnam War into the living rooms of more than 60 million War into the living rooms of more than 60 million American viewers. Scenes of dying soldiers and desperate American viewers. Scenes of dying soldiers and desperate civilians led many viewers to question American civilians led many viewers to question American involvement in Vietnam.involvement in Vietnam.

As a result of the Tet Offensive, polls showed for the first As a result of the Tet Offensive, polls showed for the first time that a majority of Americans opposed the war. time that a majority of Americans opposed the war. Television news coverage of Tet increased the impact that Television news coverage of Tet increased the impact that the attack had on the public. Millions watched as news the attack had on the public. Millions watched as news anchor Walter Cronkite, known for his objectivity and anchor Walter Cronkite, known for his objectivity and trustworthiness, said in February of 1968, “It now seems trustworthiness, said in February of 1968, “It now seems more certain than ever that the bloody experience in more certain than ever that the bloody experience in Vietnam is to end in stalemate.” President Johnson heard Vietnam is to end in stalemate.” President Johnson heard Cronkite's assessment of the war and reacted with Cronkite's assessment of the war and reacted with dismay. Reportedly he said, “If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost dismay. Reportedly he said, “If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America.”Middle America.”

Listen to CronkiteListen to Cronkite

Johnson Decides Not to RunJohnson Decides Not to Run Continuing protests and an increasing Continuing protests and an increasing

number of casualties steadily decreased number of casualties steadily decreased popular support for Johnson’s handling of the popular support for Johnson’s handling of the war.war.

After the Tet Offensive, Johnson rarely left After the Tet Offensive, Johnson rarely left the White House for fear of angry protesters. the White House for fear of angry protesters.

Two other Democratic contenders, antiwar Two other Democratic contenders, antiwar candidate Eugene McCarthy and Robert candidate Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy, brother of John Kennedy and a Kennedy, brother of John Kennedy and a senator from New York, campaigned against senator from New York, campaigned against Johnson for the party’s nomination.Johnson for the party’s nomination.

Johnson Decides Not to RunJohnson Decides Not to Run

On March 31, 1968, Johnson announced On March 31, 1968, Johnson announced in a nationally televised speech that he in a nationally televised speech that he would not seek another term as President.would not seek another term as President.““I do not believe that I should devote an I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office—the the awesome duties of this office—the presidency of your country. Accordingly, I presidency of your country. Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term.”nomination of my party for another term.”

— — Lyndon Johnson  Lyndon Johnson 

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

The Democratic ConventionThe Democratic Convention At the time of the Democratic Convention in At the time of the Democratic Convention in

Chicago, Eugene McCarthy was thought too far Chicago, Eugene McCarthy was thought too far out of the mainstream, and Robert Kennedy had out of the mainstream, and Robert Kennedy had been assassinated.been assassinated.

During the convention, police attacked protesters, During the convention, police attacked protesters, with much of the violence taking place in front of with much of the violence taking place in front of television cameras.television cameras.

Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic nomination, but the party had been Democratic nomination, but the party had been further torn apart by the convention’s events.further torn apart by the convention’s events.

““Slam! Like a fist jolting, like a piston Slam! Like a fist jolting, like a piston exploding from its chamber, comes a hurtling exploding from its chamber, comes a hurtling column of police … into the intersection, and column of police … into the intersection, and all things happen too fast: first the charge as all things happen too fast: first the charge as the police wedge cleaves through the mob; the police wedge cleaves through the mob; then screams, whistles, confusion…. And as then screams, whistles, confusion…. And as the scene clears, there are little knots in the the scene clears, there are little knots in the open clearing—police clubbing youngsters, open clearing—police clubbing youngsters, police dragging youngsters, police rushing police dragging youngsters, police rushing them by the elbows, their heels dragging, to them by the elbows, their heels dragging, to patrol wagons….”patrol wagons….”

— — Theodore H. White  Theodore H. White 

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

The Democratic ConventionThe Democratic Convention At the time of the Democratic Convention in At the time of the Democratic Convention in

Chicago, Eugene McCarthy was thought too far Chicago, Eugene McCarthy was thought too far out of the mainstream, and Robert Kennedy had out of the mainstream, and Robert Kennedy had been assassinated.been assassinated.

During the convention, police attacked protesters, During the convention, police attacked protesters, with much of the violence taking place in front of with much of the violence taking place in front of television cameras.television cameras.

Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic nomination, but the party had been Democratic nomination, but the party had been further torn apart by the convention’s events.further torn apart by the convention’s events.

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

The Nation Chooses NixonThe Nation Chooses Nixon Richard M. Nixon received the Republican Party’s Richard M. Nixon received the Republican Party’s

nomination for President.nomination for President. Nixon soon took the lead in national polls, allowing Nixon soon took the lead in national polls, allowing

his running mate Spiro Agnew to make harsh his running mate Spiro Agnew to make harsh accusations, while Nixon stayed “above the fray.”accusations, while Nixon stayed “above the fray.”

Independent candidate George C. Wallace drew Independent candidate George C. Wallace drew many votes. Additionally, many disillusioned many votes. Additionally, many disillusioned Democrats did not vote.Democrats did not vote.

In a close race, Nixon won the presidency in the In a close race, Nixon won the presidency in the 1968 election.1968 election.

Other Factors in the 1968 Other Factors in the 1968 ElectionElection

The 1960s was an unsettling period for The 1960s was an unsettling period for mainstream Americans, a group sometimes mainstream Americans, a group sometimes referred to as referred to as Middle AmericaMiddle America. Many turned . Many turned to the Republican Party for stability, voting to the Republican Party for stability, voting for Republican candidates such as Nixon.for Republican candidates such as Nixon.

Many Americans were disillusioned by Many Americans were disillusioned by Johnson’s handling of the Vietnam War. Johnson’s handling of the Vietnam War. Although Johnson stopped the bombing of Although Johnson stopped the bombing of North Vietnam before the election, Hubert North Vietnam before the election, Hubert Humphrey’s candidacy was hurt by his Humphrey’s candidacy was hurt by his defense of the President’s Vietnam defense of the President’s Vietnam policies.policies.

Why do you think Americans picked Nixon?Why do you think Americans picked Nixon?(Place your answer on your worksheet.)(Place your answer on your worksheet.)

Political Divisions—Political Divisions—AssessmentAssessment

Why were deferments for college students eliminated in Why were deferments for college students eliminated in 1971?1971?(A)(A) A larger fighting force was needed.A larger fighting force was needed.

(B)(B) They were viewed as unfair to those who could not afford They were viewed as unfair to those who could not afford college.college.

(C)(C) College students were more likely to burn their draft cards.College students were more likely to burn their draft cards.

(D)(D) They were driving young men out of the country.They were driving young men out of the country.

Which of these best describe Middle America?Which of these best describe Middle America?(A)(A) Students who protested campus social restrictionsStudents who protested campus social restrictions

(B)(B) Democrats who supported Hubert HumphreyDemocrats who supported Hubert Humphrey

(C)(C) Mainstream AmericansMainstream Americans

(D)(D) Young men drafted into the warYoung men drafted into the war

Political Divisions—Political Divisions—AssessmentAssessment

Why were deferments for college students eliminated in Why were deferments for college students eliminated in 1971?1971?(A)(A) A larger fighting force was needed.A larger fighting force was needed.

(B)(B) They were viewed as unfair to those who could not afford They were viewed as unfair to those who could not afford college.college.

(C)(C) College students were more likely to burn their draft cards.College students were more likely to burn their draft cards.

(D)(D) They were driving young men out of the country.They were driving young men out of the country.

Which of these best describe Middle America?Which of these best describe Middle America?(A)(A) Students who protested campus social restrictionsStudents who protested campus social restrictions

(B)(B) Democrats who supported Hubert HumphreyDemocrats who supported Hubert Humphrey

(C)(C) Mainstream AmericansMainstream Americans

(D)(D) Young men drafted into the warYoung men drafted into the war