Protest against the War in Vietnam

Abstract

Dissatisfaction with American policy in Vietnam has increased from early criticism by the Left to the point where nearly two-thirds of the people have expressed their disap proval. This dissent is undoubtedly one factor in President Johnson's decision not to seek re-election. Protest by the Right is based on the conviction that the Johnson administra tion has refused to seek "victory" in Vietnam. Protest from the Center and Left is more complicated. A useful, if some what arbitrary, categorization divides the arguments into two groups: those based on conceptions of national interest and those based on the alleged illegality and/or immorality of American actions. Within the first group, protestors have argued either that the war in Vietnam is not worth its costs in men and material or that it is simply unwinnable. Within the second group, there is a division between the many who are horrified by the means used by the Armed Forces and the few who reject the administration's ends (that is, a non-Commu nist South Vietnam). Within the smaller group is a still smal ler segment of the population ideologically committed to com munism. Finally, protest of all kinds must be seen within the context of a widespread dissatisfaction with American society, above and beyond the specific ills resulting from the present war.