Learning Objectives: The student will 
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Explain how the Cold War and related conflicts
influenced U.S. foreign policy after 1945 with emphasis
on the Vietnam War.
Trace social unrest, protest and change in the United
States.
Describe the ways in which government policy has
been shaped and set by the influence of the media and
public opinion with emphasis on military policy.
Explain, using examples, how the media influence the
policy agenda and decision-making of government
institutions.
Analyze one or more issues and present a persuasive
argument to defend a position.
Connect learning to present-day issues and forms of
protest.
Summary: Students will use editorial cartoons dealing with
the anti-Vietnam conflict movement in order to determine
aspects of this protest movement. They will consider the
causes, forms and effectiveness of protest as depicted in
editorial cartoons.
Cartoon 1: “. . . But It’s Okay Over Here?”
Source: http://hti.osu.edu/opper/lesson-plans/anti-vietnam-conflict-war-protest
Publication Date: 1971
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one of the
most controversial events in American history. Many people disagreed with the
motives and rationale for the war, and with the institution of the draft, people
resented the heavy death toll the war had on young men sent to combat.
Additionally, by 1968, the war appeared to have stagnated into a quagmire and
victory was not guaranteed. Those who opposed the war engaged in various
activities, some of which were non-violent, like protests, marches,
demonstrations, etc. Yet, there emerged in the early 1970s a group of protesters
who were decidedly more violent and aggressive in their protest tactics. In one
incident, protesters apparently detonated a bomb at the University of Wisconsin
in 1970, leading to one death and several injuries. This cartoon illustrates the
alleged hypocrisy of this violent tactic suggesting that those who are anti-war are
ostensibly opposed to violence and bombing, yet they resort to that tactic on
behalf of their cause. The man holding the sign and throwing the bomb is a
caricature of a hippie or an anti-establishment type who would have opposed the
war.
Cartoon 2: Can you Hear the Same Program Closer to Home? Publication Date: Unknown
Cartoon 3: The Threat of a Full-Time Job
Publication Date: 1972
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one of the most
controversial events in American history. Many people disagreed with the motives and
rationale for the war, and with the institution of the draft, people resented the heavy
death toll the war had on young men sent to combat. Additionally, by 1968, the war
appeared to have stagnated into a quagmire and victory was not guaranteed. This
cartoon juxtaposes American anti-war protesters with those in the Soviet Union who
also oppose the war in Vietnam. The cartoon suggests that anti-war protesters are
undermining "Uncle Sam's" war in the same way that the USSR would by aiding the
communists in North Vietnam.
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one of the most
controversial events in American history. Many people disagreed with the motives and
rationale for the war, and with the institution of the draft, people resented the heavy
death toll the war had on young men sent to combat. Additionally, by 1968, the war
appeared to have stagnated into a quagmire and victory was not guaranteed.
Protesters often gathered outside of the White House, chanting and demonstrating. In
this cartoon, President Richard Nixon and his Vice President Spiro Agnew observe a
group of demonstrators and Agnew suggests that threatening the protesters with work
would be an effective way to scare them off. This suggestion plays upon the stereotype
of anti-war protesters as hippie, job-less drop-outs with no goals or education.
Protesters actually came from all levels of society and all manner of backgrounds, but
they were easily dismissed by mainstream society for their alliances with fringe groups
and people.
Cartoon 4: Viet-Conga Line
Publication Date: 10/19/1967
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one of the most
controversial events in American history. Many people disagreed with the motives
and rationale for the war, and with the institution of the draft, people resented the
heavy death toll the war had on young men sent to combat. Additionally, by 1968, the
war appeared to have stagnated into a quagmire and victory was not guaranteed. One
of the most popular forms of protest that emerged during this period was the march
or demonstration in which catchy sayings were chanted repeatedly. For instance,
"Hell no! We won't go!" was a popular phrase, which referred to the anti-draft
sentiment of the protesters, indicating that they wouldn't go to Vietnam if drafted (it
could also refer to their unwillingness to leave a demonstration if police threatened to
break it up). The title of this cartoon, "Viet-Conga Line," reveals the artist's belief that
those who protested the war were, in effect, supporting the enemy (the Viet-Cong) in
the war.
Cartoon 5: Kissinger and ‘The Books’
Publication Date: 10/19/1967
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one of the
most controversial events in American history. Many people disagreed with the
motives and rationale for the war, and with the institution of the draft, people
resented the heavy death toll the war had on young men sent to combat.
Additionally, by 1968, the war appeared to have stagnated into a quagmire and
victory was not guaranteed. One of the most popular forms of protest that
emerged during this period was the march or demonstration, usually in front of
important government sites. This cartoon depicts protesters outside of National
Security Adviser Henry Kissinger's office. Kissinger was a stalwart supporter of
the conflict in Vietnam and refused to reconsider the course and strategies of the
war, thus the cartoonist has depicted him as "sticking to the books" and ignoring
the protesters.
Cartoon 7: “Here They Come”
Cartoon 6: Echoes of the Enemy
Publication Date: Unknown
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one
of the most controversial events in American history. Many people
disagreed with the motives and rationale for the war, and with the
institution of the draft, people resented the heavy death toll the war had on
young men sent to combat. Additionally, by 1968, the war appeared to
have stagnated into a quagmire and victory was not guaranteed this
cartoon attempts to connect the anti-war protesters with the Soviet Union
- suggesting that protesters "echo the enemy" and are therefore traitors
who support the communist cause in the Vietnam conflict. Uncle Sam
looks on from the bottom right corner.
Publication Date: Unknown
United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict (1964 - 1973) was one of the
most controversial events in American history. Many people disagreed with the
motives and rationale for the war, and with the institution of the draft, people
resented the heavy death toll the war had on young men sent to combat. Young
men who were enrolled at a university or those who declared themselves as
conscientious objectors (pacifists) could get deferments and avoid conscription.
This led to large numbers of poor and working class young men filling the ranks in
the army. Those who opposed the draft, but did not attend college or
conscientiously object were left with little option. Many burned their draft cards to
avoid conscription, while others fled to Canada as fugitives from the draft - socalled "draft dodgers." This cartoon depicts the border control officers on the
Canadian side of the US border anticipating an influx of draft-dodgers.looks on
from the bottom right corner.