In opposition to the Vietnam War, there were several demonstrations that occurred world wide, the most famous demonstrations, of course, occurred in the United States. America united under the popular belief that it was essential for all of our troops to pull out of Vietnam and come home safely. The demonstrations that I have selected to present to you, in detail, are the Kent State Massacre, the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam. I believe that most people recognize the event that occurred at Kent State University whether or not they know the reasoning behind it and the effects that it had, not only on the war, but on the way that American citizens viewed their government at that time period. President Richard Nixon was elected under the belief that he was going to end the war in Vietnam but instead, close to a year after being elected, released information of the My Lai Massacre to the public after the war was ostensibly approaching the end. Since the war was encroaching on other countries many young people saw and feared the signs of another draft. This invasion eventually did lead to a draft lottery which angered Americans even more. It also led more prospective draftees to file to not have to take part in the war. The most discussed demonstration against Nixon and the Vietnam War occurred at Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio on May 1st – May 4th, 1970. The students and other attendees were protesting the American invasion of Cambodia. President Richard Nixon, despite the use of brutality and force used to stop the protesters, launched the invasion on April 25, and publicized his intentions and actions in a television address five days after the demonstration. Trouble at Kent State began when a group of bikers left a bar and began throwing beer bottles at store fronts. The mayor called for support and asked that the National Guard be sent in to help maintain order. When the National Guard arrived, the ROTC building was on fire and they believed force was necessary. Tear gas was used, arrests were made, and some students felt the wrath of a bayonet. On the final day of demonstration, May 4th, the National Guard used tear gas to control the crowd. It had little effect because of the wind and students threw some of the canisters back onto the guardsmen. Seventy-seven guardsmen advanced on the students, and after being coerced into a corner drew back. When students followed the guardsmen 29 of them shot 67 rounds into the crowd, even though none of the wounded or dead protestors were closer than 71 meters to the guards. Nine students were wounded and four were killed by the Ohio National Guard. The strike did not only occur at Kent State; 8 million students across the country participated in this demonstration.
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