Asia 3.2 Opposition to War

Question 1

What happened, and what was planned, at Kent State University? (AS 3.2)

Answer 1

• Nixon announces Cambodia invasion.
• Students plan a protest for 4th May.
• 2nd/3rd: clashes between police and protestors. 1000 National Guardsmen sent in.

Question 2

How did Kent State University turn violent? (AS 3.2)

Answer 2

• 3000 turned up.
• Rocks and tear gas were exchanged.
• Guardsmen shot between 61 and 67 rounds.
• 4 died and 9 were injured.

Question 3

What were the consequences of Kent State University? (AS 3.2)

Answer 3

• 2 million students refused to enter classes.
• 15th May, Jackson State College: 2 killed, 12 injured by police.
• Eight guardsmen arrested, charged dismissed.

Question 4

How did Television and new technology cause loss of faith? (AS 3.2)

Answer 4

• 9% had a TV in Korean War. Up to 93% in 1961.
• Lightweight video cameras and voice recorders.
• No censorship, ‘full colour horror of the war’.

Question 5

How did news reporting and media control portray Vietnam? (AS 3.2)

Answer 5

• American GIs were ‘good guys’ fighting Vietcong ‘bad guys’.
• Journalists joked army officials weren’t telling the whole story about war and massacres.

Question 6

Who was Walter Cronkite? What was his report in February 1968? (AS 3.2)

Answer 6

• A journalist, ‘the most trusted man in America’.
• Report said the war was a lost cause.
• Johnson said ‘If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost the country’/

Question 7

What happened at the Battle of Hamburger Hill? What were the consequences? (AS 3.2)

Answer 7

• May 1969, 70 killed and 400 wounded taking over a hill.
• Abandoned immediately.
• People wondered what the point was.

Question 8

What did the New York Times do in June 1971? (AS 3.2)

Answer 8

• Published secret leaked reports, confirmed the government had lied about their involvement in the war.
• Public was shocked.

Question 9

What did Life Magazine do in June 1969? (AS 3.2)

Answer 9

• Published the names and faces of 242 troops killed in one week of fighting.
• Public was shocked.

Question 10

What was the Watergate Scandal? What were the consequences? (AS 3.2)

Answer 10

• Nixon was linked to a burglary of the Democrat offices.
• He tried to cover it up, but his role was leaked.
• He resigned.
• Many questioned American leadership.