During the 1960s and 1970s, widespread protests against the Vietnam War occurred across the United States. Students should understand the causes, key events, and effects of these protests.

Source A: Excerpt from a protest organizer

'Our goal was to raise awareness about the human cost of the war and to demand an end to U.S. involvement.' Provenance: Statement from a leader of the Vietnam War protests, 1969.

The protest movement saw several significant events that marked its growth and impact:

Source B: Timeline extract

• 1965: First major student protests against the Vietnam War start at colleges.
• 1967: The March on the Pentagon attracts thousands of demonstrators.
• 1969: The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam becomes the largest demonstration in U.S. history at that point.
• 1970: Kent State shootings occur when National Guard open fire on protesting students.

Source C: Excerpt from a historian

'These events galvanized public opinion and increased pressure on the government to end the conflict.'

The protests influenced public opinion and policy decisions during the Vietnam War era:

Source D: Historian's view

'The protests played a crucial role in shaping the eventual decision to de-escalate and withdraw U.S. troops from Vietnam.'

Source E: Statement from a former protester

'Our demonstrations showed that citizens could influence government decisions and helped end the war.'