Social Movements During The Vietnam War - 1709 Words

Throughout history, the majority of U.S. citizens have always supported their country’s involvement in wars because it has always benefitted them through economic booms and unifying effects on the nation. However, one of the most important social movements in American history was the Antiwar Movement, which took place from the 1950s to 1970s but mainly during the 1960s when the U.S. was involved in the Vietnam War (Kowalski). Most protests involved â€Å"teach-ins† at universities or draft card burnings (Kowalski). In April of 1967, the Student Mobilization Committee organized a mass card burning in Sheep’s Meadow, NY and in October of 1967, one of the largest antiwar marches took place in Washington D.C. (Galt, â€Å"Putting Principles Behind†). The movement was about trying to convince the U.S. government that involvement in the Vietnam War was not worth the deaths of thousands of Americans and to back out of the war (Galt, â€Å"A War in Asia†). Mostly college students and middle class white Americans were involved in the antiwar protests (Baron, Scinta). African Americans were also against the war, but were preoccupied with fighting for their own civil rights at the same time (Galt, â€Å"Putting Principles Behind Bars†). Those against the war were known as doves for their peaceful nature and those supporting the war, mainly WW2 veterans, were called hawks because of their predatory nature (Galt, â€Å"A War in Asia†). Women were also involved, serving as nurses and counselors for veterans andShow MoreRelatedEugene McCarthy ´s Speech Against the Vietnam War1305 Words   |  6 Pagesagainst the Vietnam War? From the early 1960s up until the year 1973, America was going through the Anti-War Movement. The movement had many leaders, supporters, and followers, including Martin Luther King Jr., Eugene McCarthy, and Robert F. Kennedy. 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