The 1960s

1
The 1960s

• The student movement

2
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.

3
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.

4
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.

5
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

6
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.

7
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.

8
Why was the U.S. involved?

• French colony until the French were defeated in
  1954
• Geneva Accords divided country into North and
  Southcommunist North.
• U.S. installs Ngo Dinh Diem as leader (dictator)
• Democratic elections slated for two yearsnever
  happened

9
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.)

10
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 dont agree
• Congressional Tonkin Resolution gives President
  power to use force

11
Bombing (and protest) begins

• In 1965, D.C. protest attracts 25,000
• By 1968, 500,000 American troops on the ground
• War polarizes the nationtakes down LBJ
• In 1968, Nixon proposes vietnamization

12
Horrors of war

• My Lai massacre68
• Over 500 civilians intentionally killed
• In 1969, the story broke in the NYT
• William Calley, the Unit leader, convicted
• Nixon commuted sentence

13
The war ends

• Some veterans return with horror stories
• In 1967, Vietnam Veterans against the War starts
  with 3 protesting vetsmembership 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

14
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

15
The nature of the opposition

• View of communism to simplistic
• USSR and China not involved in plot to take over
  worldwere in fact enemies
• Domino theory wrong

16
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 didnt like protesters, finding them
  unruly and disruptive

17
The Counterculture sex, drugs, and rock n roll

• 1960introduction of birth control pill, though
  not legal in every state
• Pill allowed women more sexual freedom
• Such freedomthe sexual revolutionhorrified many

18
Rock n roll

• Revival of folk music and protest songsmove away
  from bubblegum pop of the 50s
• Bands with large followings like the Beatles as
  opposed to one-hit wonders
• Psychedelic musicThe Grateful Deadvery tied in
  with drug culture

19
Hippies

• LSDdeveloped 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

20
Hippie chic

• Long hair for men and women
• Clothing became part of self-expression
• Loose, ethnic styles
• Hand made, embellished items
• Sexual, colorful, nonconformist

21
Hippie philosophy

• Live communallyshare what you have
• Reject materialism
• Follow your heart
• Express yourself through music and art
• Love and peace most important