PROTESTS AND MUSIC OF THE VIETNAM WAR

BACKGROUND INFO FOR TEACHER

READING Please use the classroom set of readings to complete the first part of the handout Take 10 minutes to do this

VIETNAM WAR PROTESTS More troops in Vietnam meant more casualties More casualties meant more protests in America – Protestors begin focusing on government buildings, especially on college campuses

INVASION OF CAMBODIA April 30, 1972 – Nixon announced US was conducting military ops in Cambodia – War was supposed to be de-escalating but was now increasing – Students across the US began to protest on their campuses

PROTESTS IN KENT, OHIO May 1, 1972 – Protests broke out at Kent State University – Around midnight the protests and violence spread to downtown Kent May 2, 1972 – Protests continued – ROTC building on campus was burned down – More protests were planned for Monday May 4 th

MAY 4, 1970 AND THE NUMBERS Student protestors clashed with Ohio National Guard troops 4 students were killed 13 students were wounded, 1 was permanently paralyzed 67 shots were fired in 13 seconds

STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (SDS) Student organization that was known for its activism against the Vietnam War Organized a national march on Washington, D.C., in April 1965 – Grew more militant over time – Tactics included the occupation of university and college administration buildings By the mid-1970s the organization had fallen apart

THE KENT STATE INCIDENT | 1970

THE VICTIMS

KENT STATE CAMPUS

OHIO NATIONAL GUARD CALLED IN OHIO GOVERNOR RHODESROTC BUILDING BURNED | MAY 2

NATIONAL GUARD AND STUDENT PROTESTORS

MAJOR JONES MAKES ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE STUDENTS TO DISPERSE

TEAR GAS FIRST TEAR GAS BEING FIRED PROTESTORS THROWING TEAR GAS BACK AT NATIONAL GUARD

THE CONFLICT FROM A DISTANCE

STUDENT PROTESTORS

NATIONAL GUARD FIRING

GUARD IN SHOOTING POSITIONGUARD TROOPS

NATIONAL GUARD AFTER SHOOTING

KENT STATE EVIDENCE Write down evidence that helps you understand the situation and whether or not the students were truly in danger from the Ohio National Guard –Play a few of the interviews – need to decide which ones to use – some are fairly long

WHOSE FAULT? After a very brief account of the tragedy at Kent State University, and hearing some eyewitness testimony, who do you think was responsible for the killings?

“OHIO” BY NEIL YOUNG (1970) Written by Neil Young after he saw pictures of Kent State in Life Magazine. The song was banned by some radio stations. What is meant by the term “tin soldiers” in the song? What does the reference to Nixon mean?

“EVE OF DESTRUCTION” BY BARRY MCGUIRE (1965) Written by P.F. Sloan when he was 19. Several artists turned it down before Barry McGuire. It was banned by radio stations across America. What events are mentioned in the song “Eve of Destruction.”

“FORTUNATE SON” BY CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (1969) Written by John Fogerty. Inspired by the marriage of Pres. Nixon’s daughter to the grandson of Pres. Eisenhower. Who are the fortunate ones in this song? What is the main message of the song?

“WAR” BY EDWIN STARR (1970) #1 on the billboard top 100 for three weeks in It has been covered by many artists, including Bruce Springsteen. Who fights the brunt of war according to the song? What do the lyrics say that war is good for? Who is wars only friend?

“WHAT’S GOING ON” BY MARVIN GAYE (1971) Written by Al Cleveland in The album of the same name was ranked #6 on Rolling Stone’s top 500 albums of all time in According to the song, what is the solution for war? What other era in our country was winding down in 1971 and is the focus of the song?