Life in United States during
Vietnam War
Taking an in-depth look at life in United
States during the War
Sources: Vietnam War Project; The American Experience/Vietnam
Background Information
Located near China, this war
was most unpopular war
ever fought
Opposition to war became
known as “Anti-War
Movement”
Civil Rights Movement
helped create a climate for
protest in early to mid 1960’s.
Early anti war activists were
also involved in Civil Rights
Movement
Hawks & Doves
Hawks Doves
Supporters of War Opposed War
Argued North Viewed conflict in
Vietnamese Vietnam as a civil war
aggression had Believed US had no
forced US into war right to interfere in it
As a result, US Money spent on war
should do whatever should be spent
was necessary to elsewhere (Social
win programs)
Doves & their Mission
Opponents of US govt
policy in Vietnam built
coalitions known as Doves
or New Left.
Composed of
advocates of
Equal rights for ethnic
minorities
Equal rights for
women
Environmental
activists
Supporters of “new
life-styles”
Doves demanded for the
immediate withdrawal of
American forces from
Vietnam.
Life at Home during War
Initially after Gulf of
Tonkin Resolution,
overwhelming support.
As casualties increased,
many questioned
American involvement
in War
TV and media reports
increased growing sense
of doubt
People saw images like
these from their home
First Anti-War Protests
First protests were held during
President Kennedy’s
administration
As war continued and escalated,
the number of protestors
drastically increased.
Example: Antiwar
demonstration in Boston in
1965 drew only 100 people;
while a similar
demonstration in the same
place drew over 100,000 in
1969
Protesting the War
Protests at College
Campuses
Sit ins and marches
Burnt draft cards &
avoided the draft
Antiwar protests fed a
widespread spirit of
rebellion
Early 70’s rejected
traditional American
culture, experimented with
clothing , music, and illegal
drugs
College Campus Protests
As protestors (Doves) grew
more vocal, so did
supporters of war (Hawks).
Resulted in increase
animosity between 2 groups
Govt’s attempts to stop
opposition, exploded in
violent confrontation.
Kent State and Jackson State
In 1970, students at both
campuses were shot while
peacefully demonstrating
their opposition to the war.
Other methods of Protesting
Civil Disobedience
Publicly burned their draft cards
Refusing to report when drafted
In 1965, only 380 draft
evaders were prosecuted and
went to prison.
In 1969, the number
increased to 33, 960.
Most notable: Muhammad
Ali
Estimated that over 100,000 fled
to US to avoid conscription
Others chose civilian alternative
service
Vietnam Veterans
Vietnam Veterans
View their Statement
Against the War
Formed their own
organization and held a
dramatic march on
Washington, D.C., in
April 1971
Threw combat medals at
Capitol building
Invasion into Personal lives
FBI, CIA, and police
forces infiltrated
protest groups by
tapping phones,
secretly photographing
meetings, and creating
secret files on
suspected individuals.
Public Opinion divides
1965 Poll: Found 60% of Americans favoring
military involvement in Vietnam
By 1967, polls began to show a majority
opposed to the war
By 1971, over 60% of Americans were
opposed Vietnam War
Decline of Anti-War Movement
President Nixon’s decision to end draft and
bring home remaining troops in 1973 resulted
in a notable decline in antiwar activity.
Antiwar coalitions began to dissolve
Results of antiwar movement
Difficult to gauge effects of
movement
Many Americans were
exhilarated by their ability to
publicly protest govt decisions
Others viewed protests as
disrespect for govt during a
time of war
Safe to assume that protestors
had some influence in bringing
an earlier end to the war
The extent of that influence
is still in dispute
Additional results of protests
Had drastic impact on
domestic politics
Influenced Lyndon
Johnson (left) decision
not to seek re-election
Nixon administration was
forced to recognize
growing strength of
protests its policy making
(Right).
Size and frequency of protests
and the extensive media
coverage guaranteed that the
whole world was watching
the protests!
Results of War
US lost more than 58,000 Quiz Show
American lives
More than million
Vietnamese soldiers lost their
lives and perhaps half a
million civilians died
US government spent vast
amounts of money on the war
War divided the nation in an
often bitter debate
No clear answer to decide
how far US should go to fight
Communism