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Learn about the division of Americans as hawks and doves, draft resistance, anti-war activities, the Tet Offensive, and the growth of the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War era. Explore the impact on society, military outcomes, and political shifts.
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DOVES People who opposed the war on moral grounds.
HAWKS • Supported Johnson’s policies of wanting to contain communism and feared the domino theory
Johnson Loses Support • By 1965 most of the troops were no longer volunteers, they were draftees.
During the Vietnam war, over 1.5 million men were drafted.
At the age of 18, all men have to be registered with the Selective Service • Do you think there will ever be a need for a draft? • Do you think women should have to register with the Selective Service?
Deferments • Postponements • College Students and men who worked in certain occupations.
Most people who were drafted were working class and the poor
African Americans – fighting and dying were disproportionately high. • They were more likely to serve in combat positions and less likely to become commissioned officers • In 1966 African Americans made up 10% of the population, yet made up 20% of combat deaths
It was sending their sons and their brothers and their husbands to fight and to die in extraordinary high proportions relative to the rest of the population….[We] have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools.”
Anti war activities Perceived inequalities led to widespread resistance. Upper middle class more likely to protest. Working class less likely
SDS – Students for a Democratic Society 1960 – originally formed to campaign against racism and poverty – led to teach ins – encouraged people to sign “We won’t Go” Petitions.
“Living Room War” Americans were able to watch the progress, and the lack of, every night on television “Credibility Gap” – differences between what Johnson said and what the journalists were reporting. Referred to the American public’s distrust of statements made by the government
Check in Why did the anti war movement grow across the nation?
Tet Offensive • Nov 1967 Westormeland told Americans that the Vietcong were losing steam – declining strength and could no longer mount an offensive • In reality, the Vietcong were doing just that
36 targets, 5 major cities, U.S. embassy in Saigon • The plan was to hold the cities until the population took up arms in support of the Vietcong • Didn’t work. U.S. and S. Vietnam were able to hold them off
But…… • Showed that communists had not lost the will or the ability to fight. • Military leaders appeared less confident of a quick end
Clark Clifford, Secretary of Defense said: More troops would mean higher taxes and more casualties. Victory was not certain U.S. should shift policy from one that pursued victory to one that pursued a negotiated peace.
1968 LBJ announced to the nation • that the U.S. would limit bombing • on N. Vietnam. • He also announced he would not • run for another term
Check in Question: • How was the Tet Offensive both a victory and a defeat for the United States?
1968 Two Leaders Fall • Robert Kennedy • MLK
Nixon Comes To Power • Wants us to get out of the war with peace and honor
Identify three factors that led to the growth of the anti war movement. Which do you think was the most important? • How did the military outcome of the Tet Offensive differ from its impact on the American people?
