Domestic Context of Vietnam

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 MovementCounterculture 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 risingLBJ 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 & eventsSenate hearings add doubts about warSenate hearings add doubts about war

"Manipulatable" Draft"Manipulatable" DraftSelective 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 1969Racial 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 MobilizeNew LeftNew Left– Demand sweeping changesDemand sweeping changesStudents 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 freedomCampus 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 thousands1966 DOD needs good grades for deferment1966 DOD needs good grades for defermentSDS 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 violentMen burn draft cardsMen burn draft cardsMen 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 DeterminedLBJ slows escalationLBJ slows escalation– Criticized by hawks and dovesCriticized by hawks and doves

Stalemate leads McNamara’s resignationStalemate leads McNamara’s resignation