Abstract This paper discusses the antiwar actions of the Vietnam era in the 1960s, with a focus on draft resistance. The paper notes how the counterculture involved a number of different issues and concerns, though the groups that formed tended to coalesce around the ongoing war in Vietnam and to agitate for a withdrawal from that war, with resistance to the draft reaching a high in American history.
From the Paper "The 1960s counterculture altered American society significantly by giving it a new way of thinking about itself and its relationship to its government, its business community, and itself. It was then no longer proper merely to accept what society sets down as restrictions on personal conduct. The legacy of the 1960s has been a greater questioning of government, a legacy bolstered by Watergate and other elements of the 1970s. The counterculture involved a number of different issues and concerns, though the groups that formed tended to coalesce around the ongoing war in Vietnam and to agitate for a withdrawal from that war."
This paper discusses "The Problems of Philosophy" by Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), widely regarded as one of the great philosophers of the 20th century.
Abstract This paper explains that Bertram Russell is considered the founder of analytic philosophy, the tradition dominating 20th century Anglo-American philosophy. He is know for his writings in the fields of epistemology, logic, the foundations of mathematics, ethics, political and social philosophy, the philosophy of science and antiwar. The author points out that Russell in Chapter V of "The Problems of Philosophy" emphasizes that the knowledge of things is comprised of two components: (1) "Knowledge of Acquaintance" wherein the person is knows directly through his or her acquaintance with the object, without the intermediary of any process of inference or any knowledge of truths and (2) "Knowledge by Description" wherein, similar to Plato's "Forms" analysis, the person knows a description and knows that there is just one object to which this description applies. The paper relates that Russell states that people process information in different ways, but everyone must use the same fundamental steps to arrive at an accurate perception of the world and to understand it.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Knowledge of Acquaintance
Knowledge by Description
Evaluation and Critique of Russell's Position and Arguments
Conclusion
From the Paper "Russell was not trying to develop a comprehensive definition of his ideas about how and why people think about the world in the ways they do; rather, he was attempting - to borrow a phrase from the academicians - operationalize the terms involved in understanding. Certainly, in order to understand the subtle nuances of how people think about "things," "ideas," and "truths," there must be some solid basis for describing the components involved. For instance, Russell sums up Chapter V by pointing out that "We shall not at this stage attempt to answer all the objections which may be urged against this fundamental principle. For the present, we shall merely point out that, in some way or other, it must be possible to meet these objections, for it is scarcely conceivable that we can make a judgment or entertain a supposition without knowing what it is that we are judging or supposing about.""
Abstract The paper presents a survey of research literature on media coverage of social movements in the United States. It includes the antiwar movement of the 2003 Iraqi War and how that peace movement was covered by the news media. The paper looks at the basis of media "selection" and the issue of bias in media coverage. The paper explores the coverage of other events including the International Monetary Fund 2000 meeting, free trade talks and the European Union summit meeting.
From the Paper "To understand media coverage of the protest or antiwar movement that coalesced in early against the Iraqi War requires an understanding of the growing interconnectedness between the mass ..."
Tags: media, iraq war 2003, peace movement, social movements, antiwar movement
Abstract The paper discusses how the enormous tension, turbulence and racial strife in the U.S. in the 1960s carried over to the men of color and to the white troops in the Vietnam war. The paper explores the situation of African-American soldiers serving in the jungles of Vietnam and points to the manifestations and ramifications of that tension and turbulence, through first person accounts, oral histories and the historical record.
Outline:
Introduction
Thesis
What it Was Like for African-American Soldiers Serving in the Jungles of Vietnam
Why Did They Enlist
What Life Was Actually Like for black soldiers in Vietnam
Oral Histories of the Vietnam War from the Black Perspective
How Black Soldiers in Vietnam Related to the Antiwar Movement Back Home
From the Paper "There was an enormous amount of tension and turbulence and racial strife in the U.S. in the 1960s. That tension and turbulence carried over to the men of color and to the white troops in the Vietnam war, and this paper will point to the manifestations and ramifications of that tension and turbulence, through first person accounts, oral histories, and the historical record. "War is hell. The cliche still works, years after someone first uttered those words. It always will work whether it is Iraq, Vietnam, or Omaha Beach. But when you're black and fighting a war for a nation that excludes you from the mainstream of its social and political life back home, as it was true for many blacks in Vietnam, it's a double dose of hell. Because, you know that jobs for African Americans will not offer the same opportunities for advancement when you get home, and schools for your children may not be as modern as schools for white children. All those unpleasant realities notwithstanding, the African American soldiers in Vietnam fought and died along side their comrades-in-arms of all nationalities, albeit at the end of the day blacks had their part of town and white soldiers had theirs. And blacks died in disproportionate numbers to whites, as the institutional racism that flourished in America was transplanted to the soggy mosquito-ridden landscape of Vietnam."
Abstract The paper discusses and provides a broad definition of "hippieism", its culture and values. The paper describes the origin of this rebel generation movement of hippie culture, the music that evolved from the group, the participation in drugs and the accompanying lifestyle, free love, antiwar sentiments and the emergence of the green peace movement. The paper further notes that antiwar protests and civil rights marches and demonstrations in favor of the gay and lesbian communities were prominent in this community. The paper highlights that although the hippie culture started in America, it spread world wide taking many of its features from Eastern cultures. The paper concludes that in spite of its excesses, the hippie movement transformed American social values, especially among the youth.
From the Paper "Although the hippie movement was mainly an American phenomenon, it infected the entire world's social and creative arts scenes. Hippie culture also borrowed heavily from Eastern cultures for imagery and ideology. Eastern philosophies including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism influenced the development of the open-minded and tolerant hippie worldview. Pop culture icons like the Beatles helped popularize Eastern philosophy and practices like meditation and yoga, which became relatively well-known during the hippie generation. In fact, the hippie generation spawned the widespread interest in New Age spirituality that emerged at least one decade later. Alongside interest in Eastern spirituality, hippies also cultivated appreciation for indigenous arts and crafts including those from Native American cultures."
The paper discusses many of President Lincoln's encounters with opposition during the Civil War, in order to under his actions in an attempt to preserve the Union and the nation.
Abstract The paper shows that Lincoln's actions during the Civil War towards agitators against the government may not have been completely justified. If one were to examine the arbitrary arrests, and temporary closure of antiwar press, it is seen how Lincoln was able to curb dissent that may have gotten out of hand. It discusses that if his actions were solely to protect the people's liberty as a whole, by punishing a few opponents, Lincoln was just assuring his victory. It shows how Lincoln was bombarded by "Peace Democrats" that were purposely pressuring him by, "resisting the laws of embarrassing in every way the action of the Government, of communicating information to the rebels in arms, and in many cases inflicting serious damage on the lives and property of the Unionists". The paper uses sources such as Kunhardt, Mark Neely Jr., John Nicolay and John Hay.
From the Paper "So when Lincoln suspended the writ of Habeas corpus in order to arrest those accused of treason, the "Peace Democrats" had more ammunition against the president. There was much controversy as to whether the president had the power to suspend habaes corpus, and it was argued that only Congress had that right. The writ of habeas corpus protects people from arbitrary arrest and detainment. The power to do so was both that of the legislative branch as well as the judicial branch. It was unclear whether the Philadelphia convention placed it in Article I, just to identify it or define it as a legislative function. Either way, Lincoln did so, and the suspension of the writ of Habeas corpus brought on thousands of arbitrary arrests. Many of those who were arrested were spies, foreigners and smugglers. The question is: Did Lincoln go too far and unlawfully exercise his executive powers to manipulate constitutional limits?"
Abstract Discusses involvement of the U.S. Causes and consequences of the Vietnam War on American society. American policy dictated by Cold War considerations. Analyzes the divisive and corrosive effects on American society. Antiwar movement. Decreasing public support for the war. History of Indochina. Early U.S. invovement. Escalation of the war. Outcome.
From the Paper "VIETNAM WAR U.S. INVOLVEMENT CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
This research paper discusses and analyzes the reasons why the United States became involved in the Vietnam War and the consequences of that war on American society then and later.
From the late 1940s and until the fall of Saigon in 1975 American policy toward Vietnam was dictated by Cold War considerations --i.e. the imperative need as perceived by the American national security establishment to contain communist expansion in French Indochina, and, after 1954, to prevent a communist takeover in South Vietnam. The United States moved from indirect to direct involvement in combat operations in Vietnam in the mid-1960s because the administration of Lyndon Johnson concluded that the South Vietnamese Government was incapable of defending itself.
The Vietnam War had significantly debilitating, divisive and ..."
Abstract This paper examines the "new journalism" of Tom Wolfe in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and discusses its roots in the Beat movement of the late 1950s, as well as in the Existentialism of post-WWII Europe. Wolfe's writing style changes throughout the book in order to give the reader a sense of the progression from the Beat movement, through the antiwar protests of the mid-'60s, into the psychedelia of San Francisco that launched the Grateful Dead's career.
Abstract This paper reviews this book, which tells the story of Dick Gregory, who worked his way up from poverty to become a very popular comedian, eventually more politically active and aware and turned activist in the Civil Rights Movement, the antiwar movement, and various efforts to assure human rights. He also became a nutritionist and a promoter of healthy diet. The book tells part of this man's story in a first-hand manner and so introduces the reader to an important leader in the black community.
From the Paper "Actually, this book is not merely a continuation of Gregory's story after his earlier biographical writings but retells much of his life story, suggesting the link between the activist he became and the life he led before that time. As a comedian, Gregory was also an activist, using his position as comedian to talk about race and so to reach a wide audience--including a growing white audience--with his message. This part of his story shows what can be done even under adverse circumstances by the committed individual with an ability to communicate with others. Gregory was often more interested in activism than comedy but knew that comedy was a way to communicate. A performance at the Playboy Club before an audience of largely Southerners showed how he could use comedy to defuse a difficult situation and also set him up for the success to follow."
This paper discusses the life and work of the English poet, Siegfried Sassoon, from his idyllic "The Old Huntsman and Other Poems" to his
World War I book of poetry, "Counter-Attack".
Abstract This paper examines the idea that Siegfried Sassoon's World War I experiences caused his poetry to move from the pastoral pre-1918 pieces to the harder, more concrete poetry contained in his book, "Counter-Attack" . The author points out that Sassoon, who was born into the British upper class, lived the life of a gentleman until the war when, as an officer, he experienced the horror of shelling, mud, death, fear, and displacement. The paper reviews several poems and demonstrates that Sassoon uses the images of his youth in a different effect later in his war poems; trees are no longer the idyllic backdrop to the songbird, but rather they are "bronzed battalions" clustered in a "stricken wood."
From the Paper "Unlike "The Rear-Guard", which was composed on the front line, "Autumn," "How to Die" and "Thrushes" were all written while Sassoon was convalescing at Craiglockhart War Hospital. He was sent to Craiglockhart because of writing "A Soldier's Declaration", a document that was read to the House of Commons in June 1917. In the Declaration, Sassoon said the war was being drawn out for political and financial reasons and that it had turned into a war of aggression rather than a war of liberation. Because of this, he no longer felt able to support a war that was unjust. By this point, Sassoon's war poetry had earned him the respect of the common man, and the military and government felt it judicious to blame his outburst on shell shock. As a result, he spent six months at Craiglockhart where he wrote most of the poetry for "Counter-Attack"."
Abstract This paper examines the Rockefeller Drug Laws and, in particular, discusses the need for their reform. Supporting information is presented to show that these laws, which require vary harsh prison terms for the sale of small quantities of drugs, are disproportionate to the nature of the crime. It looks at how these laws are over thirty years old and were originally passed during Nelson Rockefeller's administration in the 1970s, when drug use was associated with antiwar demonstrations, hippies, and "flower power". This paper reviews the laws, discusses the negative impact of these laws on the individual as well as the state, and discusses the alternatives to these laws and the current political climate regarding these laws.
From the Paper "The Rockefeller Drug Laws have often been referred to as harsh, draconian legislation that caused more harm than good. According to the Campaign for Effective Criminal Justice (CECJ), "these laws have forced the incarceration of tens of thousands of non-violent, addicted individuals who use or sell small quantities of drugs, and condemned hundreds of offenders who are not major drug kingpins to prison sentences as long or even longer than those imprisoned for murder or rape. These laws deprive children of their parents, waste enormous human and financial resources, and fail to address effectively the addiction that underlies most drug offenses" (CECJ, 2002)."
Abstract This paper looks at the social and political consequences in America of the Vietnam War and compares these consequences with the current war in Iraq. The paper looks at the reasons why America went to war with Vietnam, discusses the protests against the war and the reasons for those protests and looks at the war's affect on American society. The paper also compares these aspects to the current war on Iraq, noting both the differences and the similarities between the two.
From the Paper "Public and intellectual life underwent a major shift in America after the beginning of the sustained bombing of North Vietnam, in 1965. "What had once been covert was now public policy, and the military conflict in the field would now be an American war" (Tomes, 1998, p. 117). The political protest of the war began to gain as much national attention as the war, as protestors used strategies like teach-ins to raise the level of public cognizance of the war. Johnson's government, which had started out with a series of liberal domestic reform policies, and then turned increasingly to the Americanization of the Vietnam war, caused a confused split in many liberal intellectuals who were unable to make the same kind of moral and policy shift, and split with the government's policy in terms of dissent."
Tags: moderate, radical, elements, population, divided, antiwar, movement, washington
Abstract This paper analyzes the book "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. Specifically, it discusses the novel's antiwar position and how this position relates to the era of unrest in the United States over the Vietnam War. The paper looks at how the stories of the young men O'Brien portrays in his novel underscore the horrors and tediousness of war. According to the paper, by the end of the book, the reader understands just how war is hell, and why this book is such a strong statement against war and the horrors it creates on both sides of the fighting.
From the Paper "Author Tim O'Brien knows the Vietnam War because he fought there. It seems as if it would be impossible to write a book like The Things They Carried without having actually experienced the war. That is one reason the book is so vivid and so interesting. The author experienced many of these things first-hand. That is also why it is so disturbing. The author saw many of these things or things like them, and many of them are horrible. O'Brien notes that the book is fiction, and yet, many of the characters seem so real they must have existed, and the lines of reality blur even more when the reader realizes the narrator of these short stories strung together into a novel is named Tim O'Brien."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of special interest groups regarding the Iraq war. The paper makes comparisons between organized interest groups, PACs, candidates and political parties. The paper asserts that antiwar interest groups are especially prevalent, in contrast to absence of public mobilization by pro-war groups. The paper also considers whether there is a possibility of covert pro-war political activity.
Tags: special, interest, groups, PACs, iraq, war, MoveOn, Project, for, the, New, American, Century, (PNAC)
Abstract This essay examines the moral conduct of antiwar protesters in light of the ethical strictures of two of seminal philosophers of the 18th century, Kant and Hegel. The paper discusses such questions as, what is the nature of ethically correct action? and if and when one can 'morally' break the law? The essay endsby speculating what Kant and Hegel might have thought of these protests given their distinctive philosophical systems.
