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How Did The American Youth Alter a Nations View On The Vietnam War?

Kelly McGoldrick ECI 435: Social Studies Methods Simmons 7 October 2013

McGoldrick 2 On November 14th, 1963, a mere 8 days before his assassination, John Fitzgerald Kennedy held a press conference where he addressed the Vietnam War. Americans entered into the Vietnam War in March of 1961 in an attempt to contain the spread of communism that was pushing into South Vietnam by North Vietnam as well as by China and communist Russia.1 During this press conference, when asked for his appraisal of the situation in South Vietnam, Kennedy answered, To permit the South Vietnamese to maintain themselves as a free and independent country and to permit democratic forces in the country to operate, which they can, of course, much more feely when the assault from the inside which is manipulated from the north is ended. 2 The political and ethical mentality for entering Vietnam in 1961, according to the government was to contain communism within the border of the iron curtain that was made up of North Vietnam, China and Russia.3 America refused to allow communism to take over so in attempt to maintain the red scare, America entered into one of its only failures, that altered the American Youth Culture and allowed College and High School students the chance to find their voice in opposition to their government. Historical Context: The time between World War II until the mid 1980s can be referred to as a Red Scare, during which Americans lived in fear of Communist countries using military force and weapons of mass destruction to spread the ideals of communism from Asia and

Reeves, Richard. President Kennedy: Profile of Power. New York: Simon & Shuster, 1993. 2 John F. Kennedy, Statement on the situation in Vietnam (press conference. Hawaii. November 14, 1963) Honolulu Conference. 3 Mitchell, Nancy. Containment of Communism. History 252: Modern American History. North Carolina State University. Raleigh. April 12, 2012.
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McGoldrick 3 Russia through out the world. America, an anti-communist country feared that its allies would be taken over by these communist ideals so they agreed to send military support, to countries that wanted to keep communism out. Americans were in South Vietnam since the 1950s, but it was not until the early 1960s that they heightened military presences there. This explains why Kennedy insisted that Americans were in South Vietnam to assist the country in becoming an independent and democratic country, which they could not do with pressure and retaliation from North Vietnam. Communism was a threat to the American dream and it spreading anywhere that was an ally to America was seen as a direct threat to the safety of American lives. Containment was key and thus involvement in South Vietnam was necessary. It can be inferred that Americans would not exit South Vietnam until they felt that communism could be successfully contained to North Vietnam, China and Russia. It can also be inferred from a military standpoint that if South Vietnam was lost to communism than the communists would gain a water port, something China and Russia were lacking, and be able to create a navy military force that would further threaten American lives. The youth of America at the time were a result of the baby boom that followed WWII. These children had fathers who fought for their country and this ringing of patriotism would pressure the American youth to enlist to protect their country from the evils of communism. And if they didnt step forward, they were drafted and sent to fight for the protection of the American dream. The Vietnam War continued through Kennedys assassination, the civil rights movement and the space race. In total, American involvement in the Vietnam War lasted 13 years and hundreds of thousands of American lives were lost. The war grouped a

McGoldrick 4 generation of high school and college youth who were forced to fight in a war they opposed partaking in. 4 On April 26, 1968, Dave Chaddock wrote an article for a student newspaper from the University of Washington titled, April Days Huge Success!! Within the article Chaddock recalled the crowd of roughly 400 people who signed up for the suit against selective service and the anti-draft pledge. The crowds held a vigil on the Wednesday of the Anti-war festival for Martin Luther King Jr. and reflected on his call for peace in Vietnam.5 The 1960s saw the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Vietnam Movement team up in support of one another when MLK Jr. voiced his opposition to a morally unsound war. In August of the same year college students and other Anti-War demonstrators rallied to assemble in front of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in downtown Chicago. A flyer from the area laid out a map of the different areas that demonstrators would be congregating and when they would protest depending on the schedule of the convention. At the bottom of the flyer the motto of the demonstration was written in all capital letters. It read, We will not be denied our right to dissent!6 The 1968 Democratic National Convention came only three months after Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination and two months after Robert Kennedys assassination, both of whom were seen by the public as peaceful civil rights leaders. The convention would not be remember for Chicagos hospitality or the
4Kolko,

Gabriel. Anatomy of a War: Vietnam, the United States, and the Modern Historical Experience. New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 1985. 5 Dave Chaddock, April DaysHuge Success! University of Washington SDS News, April 26, 1968. 6 Demonstrate to show our Opposition To the Vietnam War, George Mason University. Virtual Exhibit Hall. 5 October 2013. http://exhibits.gmu.edu/items/show/55

McGoldrick 5 achievements of the democratic party, it would be remember for the multiple protests and the use of police force against protesters. Protests of the 1960s different from past protests by the role the media played in covering them. Families at home finally had personal televisions and could watch evening news highlights showcasing protests and the way police handled them. Many at home would see physical resistance, arrests, assaults and excessive force while trying to maintain these protests. This media coverage worked in favor of the anti-war movement because an anti-war activist only needed to be heard on a newscast to have their voiced concerns ringing through the living rooms of America. Peaceful protests that are met by physical force from law enforcement officials and city leaders painted the picture of a frustrated government attempting to stifle opposing views of the nations youth. The American government was unresponsive and unjust when it came to the national anti-war movement. The year prior to the 1968 convention saw 500,000 American troops in Vietnam with roughly 15,100 casualties and 110,000 soldiers wounded. At a fiscal cost of $25 billion a year, the war in Vietnam now needed more troops and roughly 40,000 men were drafted a month under the draft system.7 The anti-war movement was fueled by college students, a population that would be most affected by the draft. A grotesque picture is painted by the media when older government officials who not expected to fight for their country pass laws requiring others to do so. Analysis: In todays society breaking news is spread by push notification on smart phones

History Channel. Vietnam War Protests. History.com. http://www.history.com

McGoldrick 6 that are glued to the hands of the most informed generation to date. Our nation has become numb to the horrors of war, to verbal opposition of government leaders and to protests and demonstrations. However, fifty years ago, America was not as numb and the Vietnam War opened Americas eye to the horrors they were sending their children off to fight in. America forcing its youth to go into battle paints the picture of the anti-war movement that tried its best to educate the college communities of the reality of the war in Vietnam. The anti-war movement, one built on the principle of love, peace and respect, opened Americas eyes to the power its government had over its people. The movement showed the physical force used by government officials who wanted to quiet the educated protestors. The news allowed for daily death tallies to be counted off every night, leaving mothers to wonder if her son was one of those casualties. Household televisions were a norm for a decade prior to the 1960s so for the first time in American history families could see first hand what they had previously depended on newspapers and radio shows to inform them of. The government labeled the anti-war movement as the loud minority, but this peaceful and educational movement proved to be more powerful than the quiet submission of the majority because the majority was not going to fight a war, they were. The anti-war movement proved that dictated laws would not be justified, that war was not always the answer and that genuine good could come from learning from and loving one another. The media coverage of the anti-war movement made way for more courage and action from those frustrated with the leaders of their country and paved the way for free speech, peaceful protests, and educational movements that give a voice to the American youth that can never be referred to at a loud minority.

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Works Cited Dave Chaddock, April Days, Huge Success! University of Washington SDS News, April 26, 1968. Demonstrate to show our Opposition to the Vietnam War, George Mason University. Virtual Exhibit Hall. 5 October 2013. http://exhibits.gmu.edu/items/show/55 History Channel. Vietnam War Protests. History.com. http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war-protests John F. Kennedy, Statement on the situation in Vietnam (press conference, Hawaii. November 14, 1963.) Honolulu Conference. Kolko, Gabriel. Anatomy of a War: Vietnam, the United States, and the Modern Historical Experience. New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 1985. Mitchell, Nancy. Containment of Communism. History 252: Modern American History. North Carolina State University. Raleigh. April 12, 2012.