Title: 1972 - Vietnam War Protests

​

About: By the 1970s, it was clear the war in Vietnam was going badly.  Opposition to the war had been growing in America for years, particularly among veterans, students and notable figures from the world of politics, literature, and entertainment.

​

Major protests were held in many cities throughout the US, with marches and demonstrations attracting tens of thousands. The fact that even men who had served in the conflict - Vietnam Veterans Against the War - were willing to speak out about the war showed how unpopular the conflict had become.

​

Despite nightly broadcasts of the situation in Vietnam, one infamous picture - The Terror of War, or Napalm Girl - really brought home the brutal and senseless reality of the war to the American public.  The little girl in the photo, Kim Phuc, was running down the street, naked, after a napalm attack on her village. Her skin was terribly scorched and her home was burning in the background. “When I pressed the button, I knew," said photographer Nick Ut. "This picture will stop the war.” 

 

In combination with the mounting casualties and clearly unwinnable situation, it was no surprise that the anti-war movement was such a powerful force.  By questioning the futility and pointlessness of the war, the protesters heavily influenced the decision to withdraw all US troops from Vietnam in January 1973.

​

​

Decade: 1970s

Year: 1972

Region: North America

Country: USA + Vietnam

Politics: Protest

Conflict: Cold War

​

Type: Historical Event

Impact: 7

Artist: Bryan Willian

_____________________________________________________________________

​

Group: Genesis

Number: 72/100

Price: 0.7 ETH

​

_____________________________________________________________________

​