Dbq Vietnam War
The 60’s were full of drugs, sex, and war. All of this was possible thanks to Democracy and Freedom; America would be damned if they let Communism threaten that. The draft was reinstated and young, able men were given a slap on the back and sent off to fight for their country. As, “Democratic”, war in Vietnam flared, many lives were being lost and many more ruined - physically, economically and mentally. Although the war in Vietnam had the complete support of the American government, the American people resented their governments actions. Unsurprisingly, as do many others, the movement started amongst college campuses, intellectuals and hippies. The movement grew quickly, taking hold of the American people after the launch of a bombing campaign
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One famous example was Muhammed Ali who claimed to be a “Conscientious Objector”. Ali requested for exemption from the draft on the basis of being a practicing pacifist. When they rejected his requested, Ali refused to be recruited. For this, the state took away his boxing license, title, and he was prosecuted (Lederman par. 2). In retaliation, Ali took the state to court. Under the grounds of equal employment, Ali won his license back (Lederman par. 2). The state had tried to make Ali fight, and many others as well, but they realized they were losing this battle. Inevitably, the anti-war movement shot itself in the foot. Many Americans, some experts suggest over half, did not support the war (Barringer par. 12). However, there was not a unanimous ideology on how to handle the movement. Eventually the founding SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) members were replaced with new leaders who gave the movement a new face (Barringer par 12). The movement shifted from mostly non-violent protests to spitting on soldiers and riots in the streets. The American people were frustrated with the actions of their Government. They did not support the war in Vietnam for many different reasons, that was their prerogative. However, many Americans were also not in favor how some of the anti-war movement protested the war. It was an unusual paradigm that was, quite frankly, fueled by drugs and hormones. It was not unlike that of a modern
One famous example was Muhammed Ali who claimed to be a “Conscientious Objector”. Ali requested for exemption from the draft on the basis of being a practicing pacifist. When they rejected his requested, Ali refused to be recruited. For this, the state took away his boxing license, title, and he was prosecuted (Lederman par. 2). In retaliation, Ali took the state to court. Under the grounds of equal employment, Ali won his license back (Lederman par. 2). The state had tried to make Ali fight, and many others as well, but they realized they were losing this battle. Inevitably, the anti-war movement shot itself in the foot. Many Americans, some experts suggest over half, did not support the war (Barringer par. 12). However, there was not a unanimous ideology on how to handle the movement. Eventually the founding SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) members were replaced with new leaders who gave the movement a new face (Barringer par 12). The movement shifted from mostly non-violent protests to spitting on soldiers and riots in the streets. The American people were frustrated with the actions of their Government. They did not support the war in Vietnam for many different reasons, that was their prerogative. However, many Americans were also not in favor how some of the anti-war movement protested the war. It was an unusual paradigm that was, quite frankly, fueled by drugs and hormones. It was not unlike that of a modern