Nonviolence Dbq

The 1960s and early 1970s were a complicated era were young adults offered serious critique about major aspects of the nation. In 1960s and 1970s, students were involved in movements like the civil rights movement, the anti-Vietnam War movement, and the women’s movement. In essence, those movements reformed the government policy and changed almost every American life today.During the 1960s and early 1970’s students protesters sought to fix issues they endured in society. For instance, the student protesters aimed to gain more democracy. Nonetheless, it is not very easy to just demand aspects and hope they will come true. Furthermore, those student protestors faced problems and obstacles. In attempt of facing issues they choose nonviolence

as their tactic, “good will triumph evil” was their mentally. Some of the protestors goals was to stop the American involvement in the Vietnam War, gain equal rights for African Americans, women, and gays.

While dealing with issues from society and government, many protestors choose nonviolence as their strategy.

the Statement of Purpose written by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee they stated, “We affirm the philosophical and religious ideal of nonviolence as the foundation of our purpose, the presupposition of our faith, and the manner of our action”(Document A). Students wanted to fight for change and justice through direct action. The students in 1960s understood that violence will give them negative attention from society and in such time they needed all the support they can earn from society. Additionally, students were heavily inspired by the Civil Rights Movement. The students recognized that some right were being granted to African Americans without the use of violence. “Peace dominates war; faith reconciles doubt” (Document A). As a result, they were inspired to use similar concepts, such as: rallies, marches, and

sit-ins.

A problem the students had in the 1960s was the involvement in the Vietnam War. The United States originally got involved because they feared that if South Vietnam were defeated communism would spread tremendously. In that era communism was a fear and concern of majority of Americans and the possibility of Southeast Asia being communist terrified Americans. On the other hand, students were highly concerned about draft and having to be forced to fight when some did not want to. In essence, the draft was a long term issue that student protestors had to combat. the Port Huron statement which is a political manifesto of students activists movements state “As we grew, however, our comfort was penetrated by events too troubling to dismiss” (Document B). The students were not in favor of their freedom being taken away when joining the army. As an illustration, Students went as far as to burning their draft cards to show their opposition. Moreover, the students did not support the war so they protested against hoping the draft will end and the war in general.

A long term problem for the student protestors was earning justice in schools especially in universities.

The students explained that not only the small elite should have a voice in what happens in our society, they wanted everyone to feel represented. Furthermore, they wanted every citizen to come in unity and work on achieving change locally and nationwide. Herbert A. Deane once stated,“The new student attitude… seems to reject the state, the legal system, political parties, churches, colleges, and universities, and seems to deny objective standards of excellence in literature, the arts, and morals” (Document D). In other words, students were rejecting the policies set by schools and hoping to get people attention to

listen.

In addition, students were exhausted of the school officials placing numerous restrictions. In a newsletter issued in 1964 it states, “ The source of our strength is, very simply, the fact that we are human beings and so cannot be forever treated as raw materials” (Document C). Moreover, students wanted the right of freedom speech and less restrictions. In an article called Why we strike it states, “The people who are affected by an illegitimate institution have the right to change it” (Document E). The article summarizes how outraged students were and what they had to do to get their point across. For instance, students had to take over buildings to emphasize their point of views.
In conclusion, throughout the 1960s and 1970s the students faced numerous issues to get their point across. Nevertheless, the student protestors were successful in achieving a lot. Some of the movements that occurred and had great impact on the nation are the the Anti-Vietnam Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Women’s Movement. The student protestors brought real change in our nation. They were able to impact and change our nation through nonviolence mentality. Lastly, the 1960s and 1970s student protestors shaped our nation and without them our lives would be completely different.