Vietnam War Influence

The 1960’s was time in modern history that saw dramatic cultural changes throughout the world. Events revolving the advances of socialist left-wing governments and the American military presence in Vietnam, would catalyze the organization of student protesters not only in the United States, but also in countries like Germany. Although many student movements were unique to their countries, they all managed to create a lasting impact on their societies. Most Americans remember the 1960’s as a time that saw protests surrounding issues such as civil rights, women’s rights, environmental protection, and the war in Vietnam. Because of American influence over post war West Germany, similar issues became subjects conversation among students. These

American students would rally against their own government to protest its involvement in the war. American were displeased with the war because, among other reasons, Vietnam posed no immediate danger to the United States’ safety. Conflicts such as the two World Wars that occurred previously in the century had the public’s backing, because American involvement was deemed more justified. The reality was that the American government had been drafting citizens to fight in war in order to prevent a democratically elected government from implementing a socialist government. Socialism had offered a real alternative to student protester in Germany who had grown disillusioned with capitalism in their society. Such sentiment would inspire groups like the RAF to carry out acts of terrorism against capitalist society, such as the bombings of department

In 1966, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats would join together in an event that would be called the “Grand Coalition”. The Grand Coalition would give this political union a majority control in German parliament. To many, this was far to reminiscent of when the Nazi party had taken majority control. Young people feared that their parents generation had not adequately acknowledged their Nazi past, and had once again allowed a political group to assume a position of unchecked