Instructions to students: Many Americans opposed the war in Vietnam and looked for ways to legally show how they felt. Please view this video clip to see how one famous American expressed his view.

Dr. King was so famous that people came from all around to hear his speeches. Dr. King was opposed to American participation in the Vietnam War. Many Americans felt the same way as Dr. King and wanted a way to express their views. Most Americans, however, were not as famous as Dr. King.

Think about this: How could they show the American government and their neighbors how they felt? You have already seen evidence about this. Many Americans exercised (used) their First Amendment to peacefully protest to show their feelings. As Americans we have the right to tell our government how we feel as long as we do not hurt others.

Have you ever had a disagreement with your parents? We usually express our feeling in one of two ways. We either do it calmly or we scream and yell at one another. Think of protests as calmly telling your parents that you disagree with them. When we remain calm, we usually get better results. Most protests in the Vietnam Era were peaceful. Protests have been used very effectively throughout history. Have you ever protested something?

Americans expressed their discontent (unhappiness) in other ways as well. In fact one of the most lasting social impacts of the Vietnam era was the music. Watch this clip and listen very closely to the lyrics of the songs. They are blatant antiwar messages.

I bet most of you hear " War, huh, yeah, What is it good for, Absolutely nothing" and think of Jackie Chan. However Edwin Starr's "War" is an Anti War Anthem that got its fame in the Vietnam Era. If you have time later take a moment and read the lyrics that are included in the supporting resources section of this lesson. You will see how obvious the meaning of this song is.

Instructions to Students: Now, let's listen to a much different song than the others you just heard. It was written and performed by Staff Sgt. Berry Sandler who served three tours as a Marine in Vietnam.

"Silent Majority" vs. Protesters

The two videos you just viewed help show a deeply divided America. Many Americans actively protested the war. Others supported the government. Others may have opposed the war, but deeply disliked the radical protesters who frequently disrespected both the government and the people who served in the war. When Richard Nixon ran for president in 1968, he commanded the support of both of these latter groups, whom he later labeled the "Great Silent Majority." He promised them a peace that avoided defeat.

The Great Silent Majority recoiled from both the cause and the activities of the protesters, many of whom were college students and children of middle-to-upper class parents. These protesters joined groups like the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), which advocated a very idealistic way of living in society that conflicted with the laws of the present society. While posters like the one below for Woodstock highlighted the protesters' desire for peace (and to listen to good music), protesters also engaged in many illegal activities. Woodstock is famous today for both music and the quantity of illegal drugs used at the event. Many protesters escaped the draft, through both legal and illegal means. Frequently, returning veterans were spit on and yelled at by protesters for following the law and serving in Vietnam. As the war raged on, fought largely by sons of the working class and minority groups, people from the silent majority grew angry and bitter towards the protesters. The division between the counterculture and the silent majority became increasingly visible.

Source: Woodstock poster, Wikimedia