NCJ Number
144358
Journal
Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (April- June 1993) Pages: 99-111
Date Published
1993
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The antiwar movement of the 1960's against the Vietnam War had its roots in the collective experiences of the two world wars and the Great Depression.
Abstract
Two world wars opened the doors of employment for blacks and women, only to have those doors close shortly thereafter. Disillusionment over the results of the two world wars caused a re-examination of American values. Hiroshima and the Holocaust produced bomb scares and an arms race, along with serious questions about the rights of black Americans. Colonialism was doomed by World War II, and black Americans were also inspired to fight for their liberation. The Baby Boom led to "megaversities," and alienating bureaucracies became insensitive to student needs. In addition, the Cold War gave birth to new questions about democracy and civil liberties. The two world wars and the Great Depression spawned a "beat generation" that refused to conform to mainstream American values. In turn, this generation led to a counterculture of hippies who used folk and rock music to protest the status quo and question materialism. The antiwar movement of the 1960's thus became part of a protest against traditional American values and attitudes. 28 notes