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Elizabeth Bosarge
Brian Carriere
HIS 1173- World Civilization II
10 July 2008
A Period of Youthful Rebellion
The 1960’s proved to be a period plagued with many student protests. These protests came as a result of World War II and the Vietnam War. European and American students fell into an ideal of change. Education and war were the two issues surrounding the unruliness of the students.
Prior to WWII, higher education was considered elite to only the wealthy class of Europeans. Post war, great strides were made to achieve equality in higher education by the European states. Fees were eliminated resulting in an increased influx of students from all social classes.
The influx of students came with problems. Classrooms soon became overcrowded, and professors began ignoring students. These issues and many more, led to students becoming frustrated and irate. Resentment of the administrators in authoritative positions also became evident. This dissatisfaction induced a series of student revolts.
American students opposing the Vietnam War also participated in riots.(Duiker 800-801) By 1968, one half million US troops were stationed in Vietnam. The war draft had reached the student population. Folk music was substituted by rock music in regards to the culture of the protests. These cultural protests collaborated with political demonstrations. Altered renditions of the National Anthem were played as well as the American flag being destroyed at rallies. President Nixon soon put into place the policy of Vietnamisation. This policy allowed US soldiers to be swiftly removed from combat while bombing carried on and peace negotiations were taking place. This triggered a decrease in campus protest. (BBC News)
One of the most memorable revolts took place at the University of Nanterre outside of Paris, France in 1968. The revolt quickly spread to the main campus of the University of Paris. French students were in...