America's Reaction to the Vietnam War
Most American citizens did not support the government's decision of moving into war with Vietnam. They believed the war was somewhat of a civil war, and that the U.S. had no right to interfere. Americans wanted the U.S. out of Vietnam as soon as possible. Many could not justify the bombings of thousands of innocent civilians in Vietnam. Countless protests were held against the U.S. government.
The first protests were in October of 1965 when the draft was increased to eleven times its original number. Men destroyed their draft papers by tearing them up and burning them. Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was one of the many to do so, and consequently had his boxing title taken away from him. As more and more Americans died in the war, the protests grew in number and intensity.
In March of 1966, 50,000 anti-war protests took place in New York. Five years later, 300,000 anti-war demonstrations were held in New York city, many of which involved war veterans. Medals, ribbons, and other signs of achievement were cruelly discarded as a sign of the soldiers' anger toward the government.
The first protests were in October of 1965 when the draft was increased to eleven times its original number. Men destroyed their draft papers by tearing them up and burning them. Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was one of the many to do so, and consequently had his boxing title taken away from him. As more and more Americans died in the war, the protests grew in number and intensity.
In March of 1966, 50,000 anti-war protests took place in New York. Five years later, 300,000 anti-war demonstrations were held in New York city, many of which involved war veterans. Medals, ribbons, and other signs of achievement were cruelly discarded as a sign of the soldiers' anger toward the government.
By: Gina R.