Domestic Context of Vietnam An antiwar movement in the US pits supporters of the government's war policy against those who oppose it. The ideals and lifestyle.

Domestic Context of Vietnam Domestic Context of Vietnam

An antiwar movement in the US pits supporters of the An antiwar movement in the US pits supporters of the government's war policy against those who oppose it.government's war policy against those who oppose it.

The ideals and lifestyle of the counterculture movement The ideals and lifestyle of the counterculture movement challenge the traditional views of Americans.challenge the traditional views of Americans.

(Corresponds to 22.3)(Corresponds to 22.3)

Anti-War MovementAnti-War Movement

Counterculture challenges traditional American Counterculture challenges traditional American viewsviewsGreat Society SuffersGreat Society Suffers– $6 billion funding cut for Great Society $6 billion funding cut for Great Society – War more costly War more costly – Inflation rate risingInflation rate rising

LBJ raises taxesLBJ raises taxes– pay for warpay for war– check inflationcheck inflation

Living Room WarLiving Room War

Combat footage on TV news showsCombat footage on TV news shows

““Credibility gap” b/w LBJ reports & eventsCredibility gap” b/w LBJ reports & events

Senate hearings add doubts about warSenate hearings add doubts about war

"Manipulatable" Draft"Manipulatable" Draft

Selective Service System Selective Service System – Men 18-26 for service Men 18-26 for service

Many look for ways to avoid draftMany look for ways to avoid draftWhite & rich get college defermentWhite & rich get college deferment80% of soldiers from lower SES80% of soldiers from lower SES

– Socioeconomic Socioeconomic

African Americans in VietnamAfrican Americans in Vietnam

Blacks serve in disproportionate numbersBlacks serve in disproportionate numbers – Especially in ground combat Especially in ground combat

DOD institutes draft lottery in 1969DOD institutes draft lottery in 1969

Racial tensions high in unitsRacial tensions high in units– Add to low moraleAdd to low morale

Women Join the RanksWomen Join the Ranks10,000 women serve as military nurses 10,000 women serve as military nurses

Many volunteer: American Red Cross, Many volunteer: American Red Cross, United Services OrganizationUnited Services Organization

Young People MobilizeYoung People Mobilize

New LeftNew Left– Demand sweeping changesDemand sweeping changes

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)Free Speech Movement (FSM) Free Speech Movement (FSM) – Criticize big business, governmentCriticize big business, government– Want individual freedomWant individual freedom

Campus activism risesCampus activism rises– Students protestStudents protest– Ideas spread to collegesIdeas spread to colleges

Movement GrowsMovement Grows

1965 protest marches draw thousands1965 protest marches draw thousands

1966 DOD needs good grades for deferment1966 DOD needs good grades for deferment

SDS tells students to:SDS tells students to:– Engage in civil disobedienceEngage in civil disobedience– Go abroadGo abroad

Some veterans do protestSome veterans do protest

Protest to ResistanceProtest to Resistance

Protests increase – Protests increase – become violentbecome violent

Men burn draft cardsMen burn draft cards

Men refuse to serve Men refuse to serve – Some flee to CanadaSome flee to Canada

War Divides the NationWar Divides the Nation

Doves oppose warDoves oppose war– Believe US should withdrawBelieve US should withdraw

Hawks favor warHawks favor war– Send in forces to winSend in forces to win

1967 1967 – Majority of Americans support warMajority of Americans support war– Consider protesters disloyalConsider protesters disloyal

Johnson Remains DeterminedJohnson Remains Determined

LBJ slows escalationLBJ slows escalation– Criticized by hawks and dovesCriticized by hawks and doves

Stalemate leads McNamara’s resignationStalemate leads McNamara’s resignation