THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT BY: MELANIE COLES AND MARYMEGHAN YOUNG

THE BEGINNING The anti-war movement began on college campuses. Peace Movement leaders opposed the war on moral and economic grounds. The draft was another major source of resentment among college students. After Congress passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, there were few anti-war demonstrations. As the Johnson Administration escalated the commitment, the peace movement grew. Television changed many minds of Americans who witnessed body bags being carried away.

THE ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) began organizing “teach-ins” A liberal minority was making their voice heard. Included young adults, artists, students and intellectuals. Members of the hippie movement, a growing number of young people who rejected authority and embraced the drug culture practiced anti-war demonstrations. Members of the organization Vietnam Veterans Against the War began to protest as well.

MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD On college campuses, professors held "teach-ins“ where faculty and students would meet to discuss and learn about the War and challenge the government's policies. The launch of the Tet Offensive sparked the most intense period of anti-war protests. Peaceful demonstrations turned violent. When police officers arrived, the protestors would retaliate. Students occupied buildings across college campuses forcing many schools to cancel classes. Roads were blocked and ROTC buildings were burned. Gatherings of anti-war demonstrators helped bring attention to the public resentment of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

In November of 1969, a second march on Washington drew an estimated 500,000 participants. There were raids on draft boards and activists smeared blood on records and shredded files. There were brutal clashes between the authorities and peace activists. Tensions ran higher than ever, spurred on by mass demonstrations and incidents of official violence such as the Kent State Tragedy. Peace activists and police clashed at the Democratic National Convention, where anti-war protestors wished to prevent the nomination of a pro-war candidate.