The anti-war movement was a reflection of a time period when individuals started to vocalize their opinions on political and social issues. The era of conformity and submission to higher powers was commencing its decay with the rise of the common man’s recognition of his or her authority and rights in response to certain societal dilemmas. This particular movement fully embodies this radical recognition. Hence, the anti-war movement in the United States, to a large extent, influenced the US withdrawal from the Vietnam War. The popularity, which several prominent protests against the war gained, served to pressurize the US government to withdraw from Vietnam as it highlighted the shift in thinking of the American masses that the government could not counteract. In addition, the methods that individuals utilized during their protests proved to heavily impact American society in support of ending the war, and thus it served to attract exponential support for the movement. As a result, the US government was pressurized to withdraw from the war. However, President Nixon’s denial of the popularity of the AWM, as well as his denial of the magnitude of its influence, emphasizes his adamancy of continuing and justifying US involvement in Vietnam, regardless of the various protests.
There were several prominent protests against the Vietnam War that radically shifted individuals thinking into opposing the war. This phenomenon served to gain immense popularity for the movement and in doing so it served to pressurize the US government into withdrawing from Vietnam. One major protest was organized by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) on the 27th of November 1965. This protest was significant as it played a major role in gaining civilian support for the AWM as a speech concerned about America’s abandonment of 'democratic principles' received widespread media attention. This served to attract individuals to the AWM who held the same viewpoint. Another prominent protest would be the protest at the Lincoln Memorial, on the 21st of October 1967. Furthermore, another significant rally was held at the Washington Monument, on the 15th of November 1969, which consisted of thousands of supporters against the Vietnam War. Hence it must be noted that with each successive two years, the protests against the war grew exponentially, with each receiving media attention. Especially due to the media attention, these protests, and the ideology behind them, were broadcast to the American public, hence actively shifting the generally conservative thinking of individuals into opposing the war. The sheer number of protests serves to emphasize the strength and growing popularity of activists against the war. Thus, the AWM gained significant popularity, and as a result, President Nixon began reducing the number of US troops in Vietnam in order 'to quash domestic dissent'. Hence these collective protests that kept growing in magnitude sent a strong message to the US government about the unpopular decision of its involvement in the war, and it ultimately influenced the US withdrawal from Vietnam.
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Furthermore, the methods used in some of the protests served to attract individuals to support an end to the war. As a result, there began an increase in support for the AWM, and this served to turn the tides against the US government, as this buildup of support pressurized the US government to withdraw from Vietnam. An embodiment of this can be seen in the actions of the Students for a Democratic Society. The SDS held several sit-ins and blockades in military recruiting centers to protest against the war. They also incited draftees to disobey orders and they had targeted ways to disrupt draft recruitment and functionality. Hence due to their radical actions, they were able to gain significant publicity and could then spread their ideals and beliefs to a myriad of American individuals. Additionally, the televised sight of crippled war veterans, protesting against the war in wheelchairs and clutches, was a graphic method that caused people to be in favor of the AWM. Another notable method that peace activists utilized was their peaceful teaching, to individuals, about the true horrors of war and the communication of their opinions on the war, not only to the students but to the press as well. Over 120 campus teach-ins were held, and as a result, individuals developed a thorough understanding of the war in Vietnam. This enabled more people to gain in-depth knowledge about the war that the US government did not disclose to the public. This knowledge served to increase support against the war as it could have instilled fear and a sense of morality against what would be perceived as an immoral US invasion of Vietnam. Gradually a range of bodies, including church organizations, government officials, labor unions, students, and lower-class individuals, decided to partake in the movement. These various methods enabled the AWM to become more supported and popular, and as a result, the Johnson administration suspended the bombing of North Vietnam and began peace talks. Eventually, the US Congress was forced to end the war. Hence, the methods incorporated in the AWM served to persuade multiple individuals into opposing the war, thus resulting in an increase in the popularity of the movement. This increase pressurized the US government to withdraw from Vietnam, thus this movement did heavily influence this government’s decision.
However, it must be recognized that President Nixon played a role in disregarding the magnitude and prominence of the AWM. This highlights his adamancy in not withdrawing US involvement from Vietnam, regardless of the popularity of the protests. President Nixon indicated that the AWM protesters were 'minorities' and that they served to 'drown out' the majority of individuals who support the war. This downplaying of the magnitude of the movement indicated that personally Nixon would not be influenced by the protests when deciding on the future of the war. However, Nixon’s statement about not being 'the first American President to lose a war' outlines his policy of Vietnamization, and hence his response to the AWM protests. As this was his first step toward US withdrawal from the Vietnam War, it can be seen that he did recognize the magnitude and power of the protests. In this sense, the AWM did heavily influence this gradual withdrawal.
Hence, the significant protests, as well as the methods used for several protests, served to gain immense popularity for the AWM. As a result of this popularity, the AWM, to a large extent, influenced the US withdrawal from Vietnam. However, Nixon’s adamancy to ignore the movement in regard to political decisions was also evaluated with regard to his policy of Vietnamization.
This investigation is important as it evaluates the effect and impact of civilian protests. In doing so, it highlights the power of the common man against the government, and hence against authority. The significance of this investigation is that it discussed a movement that actively broke the ideologies of civilian submission to the government, and in doing so, initiated an era of vocalization for all the individuals being affected by societal issues. This is exceedingly relevant today as there are myriad problems facing our society, including sexual misconduct and the discrimination of certain individuals. Prominent movements in today's times, namely the #MeToo Movement, as well as the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, have dominated the media and have brought about necessary awareness of pressing matters. Investigating the influence of the anti-war movement on one of the most disastrous wars enables us to understand the power of speaking up. This in itself is a powerful lesson to society. The anti-war movement and its effects have had a profound influence on society that is still felt today, and it laid down the foundations for civilian protest, as it served to inspire many, for generations to come.
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