The Vietnam War

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The Vietnam War

Student unrest and the Vietnam War

In the middle 1960s, every male in America had to register for Selective Service Draft at age 18. He would then be eligible for the draft and could be inducted into the Army for a period of two years. If you were a college student, you could receive a deferment and would be able to finish college without the fear of being drafted. However, once finished with college, a students name would be put to the very top of the draft list and could be deployed at anytime. The anti-war movement was about young men being drafted and then sent into war that most Americans did not believe threatened the security of the US. The Vietnam War was America’s rebellious war, a war without popular support or resolve.

As the War continues through the late 60’s, rising casualty rates spark a growing discontentment among Americans that is fueled and inspired by student protests. The seemingly futility of the War creates feelings of unrest that appear to turn public sentiment against the War and student unrest is growing at an alarming rate. This in turn caused many Congressmen to turn against the war, which in turn caused dissension in Washington and affected troop morale. In fact, an article that was posted by John E. Pike states that, “Writer James Reston commented that the anti-war demonstrations were not helping to bring peace to Vietnam. He said they were postponing it. He believed the demonstrations would make Ho Chi Minh think America did not support its troops. And that, he said, would make President Ho continue the war” Pike, (2000-2008).

On April 30, 1970, President Nixon annouced that the U.S. would be expanding it’s war efforts by attacking Communist sancutuaries in Cambodia. This new...

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On virtually all sides there was a new mistrust of the Federal government. Liberals hated the Government for lying; conservatives hated the Supreme Court for its Roe vs. Wade decision, and business hated the whole environmental movement. America had been dived by a War that never took place on her own soil. In essences, America was almost as divided as North and South Vietnam with the political and social aspect in turmoil and disarray.

References:

Bowen R. Z. & Spivey D. (2004). Student Unrest. “The Sixties”. Retrieved April

17, 2008, from the University of Miami Library. http://scholar.library.miami.edu/sixties/studentUnrest.php

Pike E. J. (2000-2008) Military. “Vietnam War”. Retrieved April 17, 2008, from the

Global Security Website. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/vietnam.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/vietnam.htm

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