Media and public opinion Vietnam war

Impact of television on public opinion (see article) Many Americans dismayed by brutal nightly news broadcasts Gradually, opposition to war (see polls 1967 being the turning point) Doves believed that the war was unjust, draining money that should be spent on social programs

Hawks called for increased military spending, believing that winning the Cold War took priority over domestic programs US officials tried to cover up the My Lai massacre (March 16, 1968) It caused many Americans to question US involvement

The peaceniks: war protesters College student often took the lead Students for a Democratic Society protested the draft and arms industry By the end of 1968, students had organized anti war demonstrations on 75% of college campuses Some publicly burnt their draft cards Conscientious objectors / dodgers Some moved to Canada

Many Americans criticized the anti war movement: e.g. in 1970 thousand of construction workers marched in New York City shouting "all the way with the USA" Anti war movement was part of a rejection of traditional values and government authority Some dropped out of mainstream society and built a counterculture: hippies They emphasized individual freedom, non violence and communal sharing

War protesters and hippies upset many Americans... This created a generation gap Because of the war, Johnson gave up and did not seek the nomination of his party for another term Democrat Eugene McCarthy campaigned as an outspoken anti war candidate Democrat Robert Kennedy argued that the USA should negotiate a quick and peaceful end of the war - assassinated on June 5, 1968

Democrats were divided The convention in Chicago: angry debates about the fact that Vice President Humphrey seemed certain to win the nomination - he had close ties with Johnson and the war Debates inside the hall were matched by anti war protests on the streets... A violent riot broke out This damaged Humphrey's chances of victory

Nixon: Vietnamization and ''peace with honor'' In April 1970, Nixon announced that he had sent troops into Cambodia Many Americans were furious because he had promised to end the war as he seemed to be expanding it... (Nixon however began slowly withdrawing troops)

In 1970: students protests erupted on hundreds of college campuses May 4, Kent State University of Ohio: the National Guard killed 4 students Anti war activists expanded their protests all over the nation Anti war feelings grew even more in June 1972: the Pentagon papers

According to them, the US officials had been lying to the public about the progress of the war for years! During the presidential race of 1972, democratic candidate G. McGovern promised an immediate withdrawal from Vietnam Despite the support of young voters (the 26th amendment had lowered the federal voting age to 18), Nixon won by a landslide Voters feared that McGovern victory would have led to greater disorder and protests

Veterans were not always welcomed home as heroes They struggled to readjust to civilian life Many suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder War Powers Act, 1973: the president must get the congressional approval The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Maya Ying Lin, 1982: a step towards healing the wounds of the war