On April 20th, 1969, Jerome Grossman called for a general strike if the Vietnam War had not ended by October. This strike developed into a national movement called The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam which occurred on October 15th, 1969. Kent State and the Vietnamese monks burning themselves alive, while interesting, are only famous because they have been discussed more than the other events and because of their level of brutality. While the Moratorium may not have resulted in the death of many, thus lacking in an investigation or trial, it was just as prominent in the effect it had on the war and required the same effort to be brought forth by those who wanted to be heard. The largest demonstration turnout was in Boston, where 100,000 demonstrators participated and the event merited a speech by anti-war Senator George McGovern. The Moratorium stretched beyond the nation. While Bill Clinton was studying as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, he participated in a demonstration there. This demonstration also marked a significant aspect of anti-war movements. The organizers received note from North Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Pham Van Dong, saying, “…may your fall offensive succeed splendidly” (Time, 1969). The demonstrators organized “teach-ins” in congress to express their views and attempt to sway the opinion of some congressmen on U.S. involvement in the war. Anti-war governors also got involved, one of them also trying to get other governors involved with him. He wrote a letter to a demonstrator saying that he not only agreed with their viewpoint, but was going to send letters to governor friends of his, inviting them to join in demonstration. Despite all of the effort put into the anti-war demonstration, the Moratorium did not actually have as much of an impact as it would have been expected to. The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam did not immediately reflect the withdrawal of the troops, but it helped to develop a consciousness that reflected the desperation of 29% of Americans, and people world-wide, to end United States involvement.
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