The Vietnam War is viewed as one of the most controversial military engagements in U.S. history.
Lack of clear U.S. objectives and no formal declaration of war contributed to its unpopularity.
Media coverage, particularly daily body counts, influenced public opinion by highlighting the war's potential unwinnability.
Early Protests
Initial anti-war protests began in small intellectual circles on college campuses before 1965.
These were relatively minor until the escalation of the war in 1965.
Major Protests
October 1967: A significant protest with over 100,000 participants at the Lincoln Memorial.
Kent State, 1970: National Guardsmen fired on student protesters, resulting in four deaths, marking a dark chapter in protest history.
Draft and Escalation
December 1969: The introduction of the first draft lottery since WWII escalated protests.
Many young men fled to Canada to avoid the draft.
Impact on Vietnam Policy
The cumulative effects of protests pressured the Nixon administration to reconsider Vietnam policies.
1973: Nixon announced the end of the Vietnam War.
Misplaced Information
There is a mention of young people joining the Red Guards, which seems unrelated to the Vietnam War context and instead pertains to Maoist movements in China.