31.3 Student Protest Angela Brown Chapter 31 Section 3 1

Bellringer: Think about the current decade, and suggest adjectives that might describe its particular theme or identity. 2

Pentagon Papers Pentagon Papers – June 1971 NY Times began publishing articles based on classified government study of U.S. Involvement in Vietnam war Revealed that government officials had lied to Congress and American people about the war. 3

Secret policy decisions made by presidents – military aid to France and undercover war against North Vietnam in early 1960s. Shocked public – boosted anti-war movement-deep divisions created within U.S. 4

Student Activism Students led antiwar movement – students had more opportunities than ever before 1960s widening of generation gap Civil rights activist helped organize Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in

Declaration of goals and principles = Port Huron Statement 1962 Tom Hayden writer Had a major political influence on development of new political movement called the New Left believed poverty and racism called for radical change 6

The Free Speech Movement University of California at Berkeley Sept – Students angered when University Administrators refused to allow them to distribute leaflets outside main campus gate Civil Rights workers argued right to free speech being challenged 7

Protest Continued distribution when police came to arrest a leader students surrounded police car and kept it from moving 8

Administration tried to compromise – University governing board filed charges against some December 1964 thousands of students took over Sproul Hall 9

Sproul Plaza shut down administration building 700 students arrested some faculty and students went on strike in protest Agitation spread to other campuses 10

Sproul Hall

Teach-In Movement Students protested American imperialism – conflict a civil war the Vietnamese should resolve First teach-in at University of Michigan in March 1965 Small group of faculty planned to strike in protest to war – legislature threatened to fire them Antiwarteachin.gif 12

50 to 60 professors decided to teach a special night session to air issues concerning the war Several thousand people showed up – huge success – spread to other campuses 13

Student and Faculty Protest 14

Resistance to War July 1965 President Johnson doubled draftees (In place since 1951) doubled number again at end of year resistance movement urged men not to cooperate with local draft board Burning Draft Cards 15

Fairness of the Draft People questioned morality and fairness of draft College students could get deferment – official postponement of call to serve TomJohnson/Tom_Johnson 16

1966 Selective Service announced students ranked low academically could be drafted 1967 resistance soared – many tired to avoid draft claiming physical disability, applied as conscientious objector, others left country (50,000) Antiwar groups grew – marched in NY city and Washington DC – draft card burning 1969 – 200 major demonstrations 17

Many Americans supported Vietnam and were troubled by protestors They wrote letters to campus newspapers, flag decals and bumper stickers on cars “My Country Right or Wrong” “Love it or Leave it” Some protests violent – turned some against anti-war movement 18

Dr. King Encouraged conscientious objection to the draft. Offered a five point plan for peaceful U.S. withdraw. Commented that twice as many African Americans serving in Vietnam as whites. 19