4.1 Reactions to the Counterculture

1967: 500,000

US Troops in Vietnam

What claim did LBJ put forward about Vietnam?

Administration claimed America was winning despite growing dissent and mounting casualties

Repeatedly claimed victory was near - Tet Offensive contradicted this

1968 Tet offensive

Vietnamese communists launched Tet Offensive on South Vietnam during the Tet holiday

Attacked over 100 cities, towns and military targets across South

Political and psychological victory for communists

‘Credibility gap’

Media images of ‘Tet Offensive’ highlight gap between what LBJ was saying and reality

Images: Communist forces overrunning cities

Public distrust of US gov statements about Vietnam War - Pentagon Papers reinforced this

How was LBJ affected by Vietnam?

Wouldnt seek re-election in 1968

Ordered partial halt to bombing of North Vietnam

Focus shifted from winning the war to finding a way to end it

What was the silent majority’s view?

Many Americans wanted the war to end

Hoped for ‘peace with honor’ later promised by Nixon

Supported gov efforts to negotiate peace while avoiding humiliating withdrawal

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___Unarmed South Vietnamese civillians killed by US soldiers in My Lai Massacre

1968 Massacre

My Lai

Who was affected by the My Lai Massacre?

Women, children and elderly civillians

US Army sought to cover up massacre to protect morale and military reputation

What did Seymour Hersh do?

1969 Brought My Lai Massacre to light

Major newspapers picked up story: graphic photographs and eyewitness accounts increased public awareness

How did the Media shift after the Vietnam war?

Before Tet: media support gov policy

After Tet: media became more critical and confrontational

Coverage: casualties, destruction and contraversy

What did Walter Cronkite do?

Publicly express doubts about war after Tet

Disillusionment symbolised antiwar sentinent and skepticism toward state claims

How did the My Lai Massacre influence public opinion?

Coverage highlight brutality of war and fueled antiwar sentiment

How did the Pentagon Papers influence public opinion?

Revealed gov deception and strengthen public distrust

What was Nixon’s Vietnam Policy?

Pursued ‘Vietnamisation’ gradually withdraw US troops

Increased bombing campaigns to strengthen America’s negotiating position in peace talks

Expand military operations to neighbouring countries Cambodia

What was the 1969 Moratorium?

Tens of thousands joined largest anti-war protest in US history

Demonstrate growing size and organisation of anti-war

Who did the 1969 Moratorium include?

Students, religious leaders, veterans, middle-class Americans

What did Nixon do in Cambodia 1970?

Expanded military operations to Cambodia

80% of Universities protest…

Military expansion into Cambodia

Many view expansion as contradicting promises to reduce US involvement

What happened in Kent State May 1970?

Students rioted and firebombed a ROTC building

National guardsmen killed 4 students and wounded 11

Images of shootings spread rapidly through national media

4 students killed and 11 wounded

National guardsmens actions to the students who protested in Kent State

What happened in Jackson State Mississippi?

Police killed 2 students and wounded 12

Recieve less media attention than Kent State

Highlights differences in media coverage and public reaction

50%

Blamed students for the Kent state violence

What did many Americans think about how the government treated dissenters?

Targeted them

Demonstrate how divided American society has become

How did media coverage positively impact activism?

Raised awareness and gave them national platforms

Protests, counter-culture movements, feminism

How did media coverage negatively affect activism?

Over exposure of counter-culture made middle class America ‘silent majority’ feel like their traditional values were under attack

What did the Supreme Court Rulings 1971,1973 do?

Supported bussing to end de facto segregation in schools

Why was there an effort for bussing?

Bussing transported students to schools outside their local area to create racially balanced schools

Attempted to address segregation that persisted after Civil Rights Legislation

8 to 1 against bussing

Many white WC and suburban Americans believed bussing disrupted communities

Resistance strong in Northern cities where segregation was de facto rather than de jure

What did Nixon think about bussing?

‘Wrenching’ children from families

Nixon try to slow desegregation: appeal to voters who opposed rapid social change

His SC appointments supported rulings that limited/brought an end to large scale bussing programmes

What did Nixon think about affirmative action?

Opposed it called it ‘reverse discrimination’

Reflect concerns of giving preference to minorities unfairly disadvantaged white Americans

Was there a gap between Nixons’s political rhetoric v his policies?

Yes, his administration pressured federal contractors to hire more minority workers

What was the 1969 Philidelphia Plan?

Required gov contractors to set goals for minority employment

1969-70: 2,000 bombings or attempted bombings

Student radicalism and violence carried out

1969-70: 59% bombings carried out by students 19% carried out by black activists

Reflect frustration of activists who believed peaceful protest has failed

1969-70: What did radical students do in Colorado if their scholarship funds were frozen?

Blew up buildings

Demonstrate growing anger over racial inequality and university policies

1969-70: What did Sandiego anticapitalist students do?

Set fire to banks

What happened in Kent State 1969-70?

Students demand more black admissions

Students demand abolition of Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC)

What happened to the students who protested at Kent State?

7 shot

13 injured

600 arrested

What was the impact of the violent incidents among students?

Create image of students as disruptive and dangerous

Alienated MC Americans who wanted reform but opposed violence

What were conservative films in the 1960-70’s?

1968 The Green Berets: pro Vietnam war

1965 The Sound of Music: family values

What were challenging films 1960-70’s?

1970 MAS*H: critc war

1969 Easy Rider: celebrate counter-culture drugs

1969 Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice: S*xual liberalisation

What was the significance of challenging movies and TV?

Hollywood films challenged traditional values

Cinema important vehichle for questioning authority

How did media coverage affect Birmingham 1963?

Show police violence against peaceful protesters

Aided passage of 1964 CRA

How did media coverage affect ‘Bloody Sunday’ 1965

Coverage of violence against civil rights

Generate sympathy

Influence passage of VRA 1965

What was the negative impact of the media on ghetto riots after 1965?

Violence, looting and disorder coverage of ghettos

Turned many Americans against further aid for Black Americans

Increase support for law and order policies

What was the most famous symbol of US counter-culture 1969?

Woodstock Festival

Attracted 400,000 young people

Celebrate music, peace and freedom

How did middle America view the Woodstock festival?

Counter-culture as anarchy and feared youthful behaviour

Hippies and drugs threats to traditional values

What showed the dangers of counter-culture life?

1970-71 Death of Jimi Hendrix from overdose