Figure 1.--It is an obsenity to compare President Johnson and Napalm with Hitler and Zyclon B, but even the other sign, 'There is no morality in war' is absurd to anyone who knowns about Zyclon B. The only way to stop Hitler using Zyclon B was making war on the NAZIs. These signs are inducative of the An-War Movement. War is a terrible thing. And any war can easily be criticized for the death and distruction, byt without the Civil War we woukld still have slavery, without World War I the Germans would control Europe, without World War II the NAZIs would have condened tens of millions more people to the Final Sollutiuon, and without the Korean War the Kims would have turned all of Korea into a barbaric Communmist slave labor camp. The photograph is dated August 22, 1966.

Opposition to the Vietnam War began with young people and appeared first on college campuses. The first demonstrations occurred were noted (1964). They were at first small in scale. Young people most affected because they were the age group being drafted. Policies on college deferments varied as the War progressed. College students were soon joined by mothers of draftees or potential draftees, and anti-establishment types like hippies. The demonstrations targeted President Johnson with chants like, "Hey, hey, LBJ,. How many kids did you kill today." Or the obscene sign here comaring napalm to Zyclon B (figure 1). The opposition to the War grew into a broad social movement critical of what became known as 'the establishmnt' and American society in general. Opposition gradually developed among many other groups. Church groups became increasingly vocal as the War continued. Civil rights groups became involved, led by Dr. Martin Luther King. Other groups becong involved included the women's movement, the Chicano movements, and part of organized labor. Prominent educators, clergy, academics, journalists, lawyers, physicians (such as Dr. Benjamin Spock), and military veterans joined the movemnent. The tactics of the movement were mostly peaceful, nonviolent events. Perhaps the most notable violent action were protests at the Demorcatic National Convention (August 1968). The police response was sharply criticed by the press. The most serious incident involved the NationaL guard at Kent State Univrsity (May 1970). The nationl debate over the War became a deeply polarizing political issue by the end of the decade. The Viet Cong (VC) Tet Offensive (January-February 1968) stunned many Americans who thought that VC had been defeated. In fact the VC was essentially destroyed in the Tet Offensive and the rest of the War would be fought primarily by the regular North Vietnamese Army. This was not fully understood at the time. President Johnson became so unpopular that he was defeated in the New Hampshire primary by a relatively unknown sentaor--Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota (March 1968). The President decided not to run for reelection. Teach ins and small demonstrations eventually led to major demonstration on university campuses and then cities. Only months after being elected president, the demonstrations began targeting President Nixon when he did not immediately end the War. An estimated 0.7 million people demonstrated in Washington, D.C. against the War (November 1969). It was the largest demonstration ever held in Washingtin up to that time. By this time the Anti-War Movement had convinced most Americans that the War was a mistake and had to be ended.

Initial Opposition

Opposition to the Vietnam War began with young people and appeared first on college campuses. The first demonstrations occurred were noted (1964). They were at first small in scale. Young people most affected because they were the age group being drafted. Policies on college deferments varied as the War progressed. College students were soon joined by mothers of draftees or potential draftees, and anti-establishment types like hippies.

Criticism of President Johnson

The demonstrations targeted President Johnson with chants like, "Hey, hey, LBJ,. How many kids did you kill today." Or the obscene sign here comaring napalm to Zyclon B (figure 1).

Broad Social Movement

The nationl debate over the War became a deeply polarizing political issue by the end of the decade. The opposition to the War grew into a broad social movement critical of what became known as 'the establishmnt' and American society in general. Opposition gradually developed among many other groups. Church groups became increasingly vocal as the War continued. Civil rights groups became involved, led by Dr. Martin Luther King. Other groups becong involved included the women's movement, the Chicano movements, and part of organized labor. Prominent educators, clergy, academics, journalists, lawyers, physicians (such as Dr. Benjamin Spock), and military veterans joined the movemnent.

Anti-War Tactics

The tactics of the movement were mostly peaceful, nonviolent events. Teach ins and small demonstrations eventually led to major demonstration on university campuses and then cities. Perhaps the most notable violent action were protests at the Demorcatic National Convention (August 1968). An estimated 0.7 million people demonstrated in Washington, D.C. against the War (November 1969). It was the largest demonstration ever held in Washingtin up to that time.The police response was sharply criticed by the press. The most serious incident involved the NationaL guard at Kent State Univrsity (May 1970).

Tet Offensive (January-February 1969)

The North Vietnamese launched their General Offensive-General Uprising (Tet Offensive) in 1968. It is generally considered to be the turning point in the War. American forced were caught largely by suprise. There were, however, warnings. American intelligence noted unusually large quantities of supplies moving down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The North Vietnamese (NVA) was carefully planning a major offensive. Three North Vietnamese Division Headquarters and seven regiments (about 15,000 men) arrived in the Khe Sanh area, north of Hue. U.S. analysts did not fully appreacitae the Viernamese preparations. Tet is the lunar new year and the most important festival in Vietnam. Many South Vietnam Army (ARVN) units gave large numbers of men home furloughs and when the NVA struck were at half strength. The NVA struck during the night of January 3, 1968,at South Vietnam's five most important cigties as well as 36 provincial capitals, 64 district capitals, and 50 hamlets. The attack on the northern city of Hue was especially feroious. The Viet Cong/North Korean Tet Offensive stunned many Americans who thought that VC had been defeated. In fact the VC was essentially destroyed in the Tet Offensive and the rest of the War would be fought primarily by the regular North Vietnamese Army. This was not fully understood at the time.

Political Impact

By the time of the 1968 election and 1969 Tet Offensive, the Anti-War Movement had convinced most Americans that the War was a mistake and had to be ended. President Johnson became so unpopular that he was defeated in the New Hampshire primary by a relatively unknown sentaor--Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota (March 1968). The President decided not to run for reelection. Only months after being elected president, the demonstrations began targeting President Nixon when he did not immediately end the War.

Discussuion

A reader writes, "The war was a huge mistake . We had been warned by the French not to get involved . 58,000 dead and we accomplished nothing . That being said it was another example of the left going overboard in their opposition to a policy . Demonstrations are fine but siding with the enemy isn't . I still hold it against Jane Fonda for going over there and overtly supporting Ho Chi Minh . The anti war movement gave rise to domestic terrorists like Obamas mentor Bill Ayres and the Berrigan Brothers . It was a terribly divisive time and it took this country years to heal . In some ways the country has never been the same." Our response is, There is no question that the War was a mistake, as to just why it was a mistake we may disagree. It is clear to me that the war was an act of aggression by the North Vietnamese and thus a justifiable cause for the United States to resist. Whether we had the capability to do so at reasonable cost is another matter. I agree with everything you write and would add a few points: 1. The antiwar movement decries the use of military force, but had no problem with the North Vietnamese using military force. 2. The antiwar movement clocked itself in an aura of morality, yet abandoned the people of Indo-China to terrible atrocities after we left. 3. The Democratic Congress cutting off aid to South Vietnam was an unconscionable act of betrayal. 4. The press provide one sided coverage. 5. The antiwar movement arguments against the war were essentially arguments against any war and would have made the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Korean war victories impossible if applied with the same vigor. Our reader responded, "Your points are well taken. The press was absolutely one sided. The anti war movement cheered on the enemy, gave them aid and comfort and spurred them on. Yes there are times when war is necessary." Absolutly correct. An honest anti-war movemrnt would have criticised the violence of both sudes.

Created: 1:30 AM 10/27/2018
Last updated: 1:30 AM 10/27/2018