| Students for a Democratic Society and the Weathermen (1962-1976) |
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Sections:- Students for a Democratic Society: Port Huron Statement (1962)
- The SDS Vietnam Protest (1965)
- SDS Anti-War Brochure
- The SDS and the Weathermen
- The Violent Weather Underground
- FBI: Files on the Weathermen (1976)
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| Historical Context
This Port Huron Statement represented several months of writing and discussion among the membership, a draft paper, and revision by the Students for a Democratic Society national convention meeting in Port Huron, Michigan, June 11-15, 1962. In this excerpt from the Port Huron Statement, the Students for a Democratic Society lament the fact that American culture does not promote the evaluation of individuals based upon the strength of their character, but instead relies on superficial means of assessment such as material possessions and test scores. Note, as well, the concerns relating to the disengagement of Americans from society—a common theme in post 1960s cultural discourse.
Attached Documents
Included here is the Port Huron Statement of 1962.
Questions to consider:
1) In what ways does the Port Huron Statement reflect the social changes at work during the 1960's?
2) Are there any indications in this statement that the group would become more radical?
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| Historical Context
The first anti-Vietnam War demonstration to gain front-page coverage from The New York Times was organized by “an obscure little organization called Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).” At the time, this demonstration turned out to be the largest antiwar protest in American history with over 25,000 protestors marching on Washington. The protestors represented a diverse group of students and adults of various universities and political affiliations across the U.S. Ten percent of those present at the demonstration were African-American and many had attended the civil rights demonstrations in Washington D.C. several years earlier. The antiwar demonstrators constructed a petition to end the war in Vietnam and refused to disperse until the declaration was finally accepted by a police officer. The petition offered “many schemes” to end the war, “including reconvening the Geneva Conference, negotiating with the NLF and North Vietnam, immediate withdrawal, and UN-supervised elections.” After the petition was taken, the demonstrators, speakers, and SDS organizers left Capitol Hill. The non-violent demonstration drew neither police action nor altercations between protestors and counter protestors.
Questions to consider:
1) Why do you think the police chose to not take action against the protestors?
2) How do you think the organizational success of the Vietnam protest helped propel the SDS to further success?
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| Historical Context
This attachment includes an example of the types of literature disseminated by the SDS to promote their agenda. This anti-war item is presented as a multiple-choice exam about the war in Vietnam. It was meant to be a sort of reality check for the American public. It also includes an official statement by the Academic Senate of San Francisco State College condemning the use of class standings as a means of determining draft eligibility for students.
Questions to consider:
1) Was such a blatant attempt to prove a lack of knowledge concerning the war in Vietnam an effective way to raise anti-war awareness? Why or why not?
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| Historical Context
By the late 1960s, the SDS had splintered, with one of the most notable of its resultant movements being the Weather Underground, which repudiated non-violence and supported violent action as a necessary means to destroy capitalism and, in their opinion, the oppression that arose from such a system. Included here are two photographs from one of the first Weather Underground protests, the "Days of Rage" in Chicago which led to over 70 arrests.
Questions to consider:
1) Was the split and the subsequent violent splinter group inevitable? Should the SDS have realized this possibility?
2) How did the Weathermen affect the public perception of the SDS?
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| Historical Context
As the 1960s yielded to the 1970s, the Weather Underground became increasingly violent and radical. Included below is a photograph of one such bombing attributed to the Weathermen during that time.
Questions to consider:
1) Discuss some possible reasons for the escalation of violence committed by the Weathermen.
2) Were these escalations effective? How or how not?
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| Historical Context
The Chicago Office of the FBI prepared a summary of the main activities of the Weather Underground in the 1970s as they came under increasing scrutiny for their actions. The FBI’s analysis of the Weathermen's motivations, beliefs, and international travels are outlined.
Attached Document:
Included here is a copy of the FBI files on the Weathermen.
Questions to consider:
1) Exposure and public awareness motivated the Weathermen. Do you think they were aware they were being watched by the FBI?
2) Do you think the Weathermen wanted an FBI reputation? Why or why not?
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