Firstly, the Vietnam war was undoubtedly a very significant factor in the increased protests during the 60's. For example, the excessive bombing of North Vietnam lead in 1965 lead to many student protests, as so many civilians including women and children were being purposefully killed in order to ultimately, win the was by flattening Vietnam. This caused outrage amongst the student rebels. In particular, the student rebel group called Students for Democratic Society (SDS) used the Vietnam war to suggest that the US government was corrupt. The cause struck a chord with those at university more so than other groups of people due to the immense number of students that were made to go and fight.
During the 1960s our nation was going through many important events. From the Vietnam War to national politics, and even civil rights, our country was changing a lot. In particular, the year 1968, was when our country went through a major turning point. The Vietnam War split the country, causing protest and unrest nation and worldwide. College campuses were a new place of protest and freedom.
All it causes is pain and suffering. Lyrics such as “Oh war is an enemy to all mankind. The thought of war blows my mind. War has caused unrest within the younger generation. Induction, then destruction who wants to die” and “War, huh yeah!
This is best shown in the poem ‘Disabled.’ Owen was ultimately driven by the betrayal of the authorities, religion and society and he used his horrifying experiences of the war to exemplify this betrayal. Owen uses graphic and powerful imagery to capture the horrors of war. He uses this to forcefully change the attitudes society had about war during the early 1900’s. The poem ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ most strikingly
Impact of The Vietnam War on American Culture The Vietnam War was a tragic event that took place in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The war lasted nearly 20 years and brought an impact on the American culture. The hippie movement was part of the impact the Vietnam War caused; and the movement was very powerful. People involved in the hippie movement began to change the typical American culture, and in turn, began reshaping the culture to what they felt was best. The hippie movement was very influential to the American music and art culture.
3 Aug. 2014. The articles author Donna Alvah provides great insight into many of the historical events during the civil rights movement taking place before, during and after the Vietnam War, the article explains many of the social issues taking place and how people stood up and together against the government fighting for fundamental rights every citizen should have. It also lists many dates and locations of the events that took place including Martin Luther King Jr’s speeches prior to his death and the assassination of a sitting US President. Heineman, Kenneth. "The Silent Majority Speaks: Antiwar Protest and Backlash, 1965-1972," Peace & Change 17 (1992): 402-433.
As the ’60s came and went, war protesters were still looking to the politicians to right wrongs, fix social issues, and bring the boys home. The Watergate scandal was on the horizon and Richard Nixon would later be impeached. The mid ’70s were looking to be a continuation of the 10,000-day war, and this was unacceptable for the public. When “Peace Train” made it into the many homes of a country overwhelmed in never-ending commotion, a British-born activist was ready to speak to the American audience about ending social unrest and the ever-important need for change. Cat Stevens was a superstar in the ‘70s.
War Propaganda and the Movies: Charlie Chaplin Throughout World War I, nations participating in this devastating and casualty filled war used the power of propaganda to unite their people and rally their troops against their enemies. Propaganda came in all forms, whether it was depicting a nation as a hated and brutal enemy, or a sympathetic image of patriotism depicting troops as heroes for their sacrificial actions. Propaganda was a major influence on everyone involved in the war. Men, women, and children all across the globe were affected in some way by the government sponsored propaganda that both united and rallied nations against their enemies, further straining the tensions between countries, stretching the war longer. Movie stars like Charlie Chaplin shined during this time and drastically increased the popularity of movies and brought together the Allied States and created a sense of comfort in a time where comfort was scarcely obtainable.
A Courageous Protest During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s was a very trying time for our country. The Viet Nam war was gearing up, and President Richard Millhouse Nixon was sending more troops into Southeast Asia. The war was very unpopular with the younger generation due to the changing times. Anti- war protests were being held on college campuses throughout the United States. Young men were being sent into combat for a cause that our government could not justify.
This evidence shows that the way people saw the war was changing. The people didn’t want to see their husbands, kids, friends, or their neighbors fighting in such a horrifying war. The media coverage changed the way people saw the war because it made them realize that there were thousands of Americans dying overseas in a war that they didn’t need to be involved in. The Vietnam changed people’s view about the war, “The Vietnam War was the most extensively covered war in history. This coverage was thought to have had a powerful influence on public opinion and therefore on political decision making”.