The 1960s

The student movement

Roots of student activism

Many of the first students involved were inspired by the CRM.

Reacting against what they saw as artificial, materialistic, conformist, and non-democratic society.

Everyone should do meaningful work and be well-paid.

Philosophical roots

Like the CRM, most students believed in nonviolence.

In the NE, many were children of radical (socialist, communist, or social democratic) parents.

Outside the NE, many were inspired by Christian existentialism: they were morally required to improve earthly conditions for all.

Political beliefs

Liberalism held that structure of American society fine, just needed periodic reform.

Old left: radical change would come through organized labor.

“New left:” radical change would come through students and poor. Those left out of system could create new structures.

Role of universities

Universities ideal site for organizing Should be places of learning as well as

implementing new ideas Should be places where students could find

the authentic Students could engage in participatory

democracy on campus

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

Formed in 1960 Many members active with SNCC In 1962, the group drafted the “Port Huron

Statement” In 1963, began Economic Research Action

Project (ERAP) in ten major cities. Soon turned focus to Vietnam.

War in Vietnam

U.S., with huge military might, invaded tiny country but lost.

7,000,000 tons of bombs dropped

Almost one 500 pound bomb for each person in Vietnam.

Why was the U.S. involved?

French colony until the French were defeated in 1954

Geneva Accords divided country into North and South—communist North.

U.S. installs Ngo Dinh Diem as leader (dictator)

Democratic elections slated for two years—never happened

Why was the U.S. involved?

Opposition to Diem regime grew A few landlords became rich, but peasants

grew poorer In 1960, National Liberation Front (NLF)

formed. Included many groups, most not communist

In 1963, Diem assassinated in military coup (supported by U.S.)

Conflict escalates

Generals could not suppress NLF In 1964, Gulf of Tonkin. Allegedly, U.S. ship Maddox attacked Later, Pentagon Papers suggest that incident

was staged, though many don’t agree Congressional Tonkin Resolution gives

President power to use force

Bombing (and protest) begins

In 1965, D.C. protest attracts 25,000 By 1968, 500,000 American troops on the

ground War polarizes the nation—takes down LBJ In 1968, Nixon proposes “vietnamization”

Horrors of war

My Lai massacre—68 Over 500 civilians

intentionally killed In 1969, the story broke

in the NYT William Calley, the Unit

leader, convicted Nixon commuted

sentence

The war ends

Some veterans return with horror stories In 1967, Vietnam Veterans against the War starts with

3 protesting vets—membership grew quickly In 1973, the U.S. withdraws In 1975, N. Vietnamese defeat Saigon, became

Democratic Republic of Vietnam Casualties: 58,178 American; millions of Vietnamese,

Laotians, and Cambodians

The nature of the opposition

U.S. wrong to interfere with other countries

When Vietnam defeated France, should have had immediate elections

Right to self-determination

The nature of the opposition

View of communism to simplistic

USSR and China not involved in plot to take over world—were in fact enemies

Domino theory wrong

The nature of the opposition

As the war grew, critique broadened Movement became more anti-imperialistic By 1969, 60% of Americans disapproved of

the war, but many didn’t like protesters, finding them unruly and disruptive

The Counterculture: sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll

1960—introduction of birth control pill, though not legal in every state

Pill allowed women more sexual freedom Such freedom—the sexual revolution—

horrified many

Rock ‘n roll

Revival of folk music and protest songs—move away from bubblegum pop of the 50s

Bands with large followings like the Beatles as opposed to one-hit wonders

Psychedelic music—The Grateful Dead—very tied in with drug culture

Hippies

LSD—developed by Timothy Leary of Harvard

Marijuana also very popular “Tune in, turn on, drop out” Many political activists put off by hippies,

but “middle America” thought their children had gone crazy

Hippie chic

Long hair for men and women

Clothing became part of self-expression

Loose, “ethnic” styles Hand made, embellished

items Sexual, colorful,

nonconformist

Hippie philosophy

Live communally—share what you have Reject materialism Follow your heart Express yourself through music and art Love and peace most important