Continued opposition to the war (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes

Continued opposition to the war

The period from 1964-75 saw growing resistance to American involvement in Vietnam, particularly following two shocking events that galvanised public opinion against the war. The My Lai Massacre of 1968 and the Kent State University shootings of 1970 became turning points that dramatically increased opposition to the conflict and exposed the true costs of the war both abroad and at home.

The My Lai Massacre, 1968

On March 16, 1968, American forces carried out one of the most horrific acts of the entire Vietnam conflict. This event would later become a symbol of everything that had gone wrong with the American military campaign and would fuel massive public outcry against the war.

What happened at My Lai

American soldiers were deployed to the village of My Lai in South Vietnam with expectations that they would encounter Vietcong forces. However, when they arrived, the troops discovered only civilians - women, children, and elderly men. Despite finding no enemy combatants, the soldiers proceeded to kill everyone they found in the village.

The massacre was documented by Sergeant Ron Haeberle, a war photographer who accompanied the troops and captured images of the horrific events as they unfolded.

Public reaction to the massacre

When news of My Lai eventually reached the American public, the response was one of shock and disbelief. Many Americans struggled to accept that their military could have committed such acts against innocent civilians. The government faced severe criticism for attempting to suppress information about the incident.

The visual evidence sparked serious questions about the conduct of American forces in Vietnam and contributed to a significant shift in public opinion about the war.

Trial of Lt Calley

Lieutenant William Calley, who had led the military operation at My Lai, became the central figure in the subsequent investigation and trial. Calley defended his actions by claiming he had been following direct orders from his superior officers when the massacre occurred.

However, the Peers Enquiry, which investigated the incident, determined that Calley had indeed been acting under orders and revealed that high-ranking army officials, including generals, had been involved in covering up the massacre. This discovery raised serious questions about accountability within the military hierarchy.

Kent State University shootings, 1970

The anti-war movement at home reached a tragic climax in May 1970 when National Guard troops opened fire on student protesters at Kent State University in Ohio. This incident transformed campus opposition to the Vietnam War and demonstrated how the conflict was literally coming home to America.

Timeline of events

The crisis at Kent State unfolded over several days in early May 1970:

• May 1st: Students organised protests against both the Vietnam War and President Nixon's decision to expand military operations into Cambodia
• May 2nd: Demonstrations continued with multiple gatherings and a military training building being set on fire
• May 3rd: Protesters grew to over 1000 students, prompting the mayor to declare a state of emergency. 900 members of the National Guard were called in with rifles and tear gas
• May 4th: Around 2000 students gathered despite official attempts to prevent the demonstration

Significance of the Kent State shootings

The Kent State shootings had profound and lasting impacts that extended far beyond the university campus. Photographs of the tragic events were published throughout the United States and around the world, creating a powerful visual record that shocked people globally.

The American public was horrified and outraged by what had happened. The idea that the government would use armed force against its own citizens, particularly students exercising their right to protest, fundamentally changed how many people viewed both the Vietnam War and the government's response to domestic opposition.

The Kent State shootings became a powerful symbol of how the Vietnam War was destroying American society from within, and they significantly increased opposition to the conflict across all sections of society.