The Vietnam War attracted national attention and was arguably one of the most controversial wars in U.S. history. Many pro-war advocates believed the war to be justified, while many anti-war peaceful protestors believed it to be an unnecessary loss of life. The pro-war advocates, such as Lyndon B. Johnson, thought that the Vietnam war was preserving America’s strength and protecting South Vietnam from a communist takeover (Schomp 41). However protesters, such as Country Joe McDonald of the Free Speech Movement stemming from University of California, Berkeley, and other anti-war protesters, on the other hand, thought that the war was unnecessary with no clear goal, used as a way to make the government money (Belmont para. 4). While McDonald
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These anti-war “doves” were often young, college students who “put together sit-ins and made up chants” to express their opposition to a two-decade long war (Schomp 27). This movement was also known as the “counterculture” who fought the government for peace. The counterculture did not condemn the soldiers for fighting in the war because they saw soldiers as victims of the draft. Instead, they protested the cause they were sent there for. They often lost public support, however, when some of their “peaceful” demonstrations turned disruptive or violent. Some considered these demonstrations as “anti-American” and “unpatriotic” for opposing the war effort (Schomp 27-28). The doves’ position, while obviously the more ethical of the two, had a very difficult time achieving their goals. Their demonstrations did boost interest and awareness, their efforts were not successful in causing the end to the war. Many protesters often faced consequences for their actions as well. Nixon, for example, put McDonald on his “infamous enemy list,” and McDonald was also “blacklisted” by the U.S. government (Belmont para. 9). In general, the anti-war demonstrations were successful in raising concern against the war, but failed at causing any immediate
These anti-war “doves” were often young, college students who “put together sit-ins and made up chants” to express their opposition to a two-decade long war (Schomp 27). This movement was also known as the “counterculture” who fought the government for peace. The counterculture did not condemn the soldiers for fighting in the war because they saw soldiers as victims of the draft. Instead, they protested the cause they were sent there for. They often lost public support, however, when some of their “peaceful” demonstrations turned disruptive or violent. Some considered these demonstrations as “anti-American” and “unpatriotic” for opposing the war effort (Schomp 27-28). The doves’ position, while obviously the more ethical of the two, had a very difficult time achieving their goals. Their demonstrations did boost interest and awareness, their efforts were not successful in causing the end to the war. Many protesters often faced consequences for their actions as well. Nixon, for example, put McDonald on his “infamous enemy list,” and McDonald was also “blacklisted” by the U.S. government (Belmont para. 9). In general, the anti-war demonstrations were successful in raising concern against the war, but failed at causing any immediate