1. The War Divides America

3. DOVES
People who
opposed
the
war on
moral
grounds.

4. HAWKS
Supported Johnson’s policies of wanting to contain communism and feared the domino theory

5. Johnson Loses Support
By 1965 most of the troops were no longer volunteers, they were draftees.

6. During the Vietnam war, over
1.5 million men were drafted.

7. At the age of 18, all men have to be registered with the Selective Service
Do you think there will ever be a need for a draft?
Do you think women should have to register with the Selective Service?

8. Deferments Postponements
College Students and men who worked in certain occupations.

9. Most people who were drafted were working class and the poor

10. African Americans – fighting and dying were disproportionately high.
They were more likely to serve in combat positions and less likely to become commissioned officers
In 1966 African Americans made up 10% of the population, yet made up 20% of combat deaths

11. It was sending. their sons and. their brothers and their
It was sending their sons and their brothers and their husbands to fight and to die in extraordinary high proportions relative to the rest of the population….[We] have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools.”

13. Anti war activities Perceived inequalities led to widespread
resistance.
Upper middle class more likely to protest. Working class less likely

14. SDS – Students for a Democratic Society
1960 – originally formed to
campaign against racism
and poverty – led to teach ins
– encouraged people to sign “We
won’t Go” Petitions.

19. “Living Room War” Americans were able to watch
the progress, and the lack of,
every night on television
“Credibility Gap” – differences
between what Johnson said and
what the journalists were reporting.
Referred to the American public’s
distrust of statements made by the
government

20. Check in
Why did the anti war
movement grow across
the nation?

21. Tet Offensive
Nov 1967 Westormeland told Americans that the Vietcong were losing steam – declining strength and could no longer mount an offensive
In reality, the Vietcong were doing just that

22. 36 targets, 5 major cities, U.S. embassy in Saigon
The plan was to hold the cities until the population took up arms in support of the Vietcong
Didn’t work. U.S. and S. Vietnam were able to hold them off

24. But……
Showed that communists had not lost the will or the ability to fight.
Military leaders appeared less confident of a quick end

25. Clark Clifford, Secretary of Defense said:
More troops would
mean higher taxes and
more casualties.
Victory was not certain
U.S. should shift
policy from one
that pursued
victory to one
that pursued a
negotiated peace.

26. 1968 LBJ announced to the nation
that the U.S. would limit bombing
on N. Vietnam.
He also announced he would not
run for another term

27. Check in Question:
How was the Tet Offensive both a victory and a defeat for the United States?

28. 1968 Two Leaders Fall
Robert Kennedy
MLK

29. Nixon Comes To Power
Wants us to get out of the war with peace and honor

30. Identify three factors that led to the growth of the anti war movement
Identify three factors that led to the growth of the anti war movement. Which do you think was the most important?
How did the military outcome of the Tet Offensive differ from its impact on the American people?