Vietnam and the Young

The sixties were turbulent times, a generation of youth banned together for political and social reasons like no other time in history. Demonstrations, protest and rallies became a way of life for some, whether they protested for civil rights or anti-war sentiments this time in history represented what was great about America and exposed what needed to be changed. The microcosm of the times could be depicted on college campuses across America.

College campuses were public forums, for peers of soldiers and sympathizers of the Vietnam War and a hotbed for the Civil Rights movements. A lot protesters and college students where of military or combat age, many had friends and family in the war. The combination of what was perceived to be an unjust war, plus the fear of being drafting to fight in a war that they did not believe in, brought about peaceful and violent demonstrations across The United States. For those who were drafted the decision to fight had already been set in stone. For those where not drafted, many felt it was there duty to expose the government as imperialist, cattle herding their young generation into oblivion. Many song writers and artist conveyed these important times in their work.

Lyrics performed by Pete Seeger in "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" symbolized the American people being led into something that we might not be able to get out of so easily. No, doubt when this song was performed on television many rallied behind the message. The Vietnam War was the muddy mess Mr. Seeger envisioned, the US government was the big fool leading the men to a certain death only to be suffocated by his own doing. This simple metaphoric song rang true with a lot of people, for Radical Conservatives the word treason probably came to mind.

Radical Conservatives not only held the anti-war demonstrating youth on college campuses at fault, but also the idle onlookers. Some felt the "Marjory" of campus dwellers were at fault for letting such demonstrations occur on their campuses. A lot of conservatives believed demonstrators should be tear gassed, arrested, and given jail sentences. Over time demonstrations and ideals become more inherently violent.

Ideals became more radical as the sixties progressed toward new more left wing militant ideology. Many suggested overthrowing the American government, setting forth Communism as the nations guiding ideology. In the early sixties