Path to Peace: A Timeline of the 1960s Movement for Nonviolence

Created by Lucia Krautheim on Thu, 11/21/2024 - 20:39

The Peace Movement, lasting from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s, emerged as a widespread social and political response to the Vietnam War, advocating for nonviolence and the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Rooted in earlier pacifist traditions, it gained momentum through protests, teach-ins, and the activism of students, religious groups, and countercultural organizations. By confronting issues like militarism, nuclear weapons, and social inequality, the movement significantly shaped public opinion and government policies. The Peace Movement of the 1960s was a key element of the counterculture era and advocated for nonviolent solutions to conflict and brought together diverse groups in a unified push for peace and justice. 

       

Timeline

Chronological table

Displaying 1 - 10 of 10
Date Event Created by Associated Places
1950 to 1960

Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)

The fight for racial equality inspired grassroots organizing and nonviolent protest methods, which influenced the tactics of the peace movement. Activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks connected the struggle for racial justice with opposition to war and militarism.
Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)

The fight for racial equality inspired grassroots organizing and nonviolent protest methods, which influenced the tactics of the peace movement. Activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks connected the struggle for racial justice with opposition to war and militarism.

 Lucia Krautheim
1955 to 1975

Vietnam War Begins (1955–1975)

The U.S. increased its involvement in Vietnam, culminating in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) and the subsequent passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized President Johnson to escalate military operations. The war’s brutality, televised coverage, and the draft fueled widespread protests.
Vietnam War Begins (1955–1975)

The U.S. increased its involvement in Vietnam and its brutality, televised coverage, and the draft fueled widespread protests.

 Lucia Krautheim
Autumn 1962 to Autumn 1962

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

A near-miss nuclear confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

A near-miss nuclear confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

 Lucia Krautheim
1964 to 1973

Vietnam War Draft Begins (1964)

U.S. government started drafting soldiers in response to the growing conflict in Vietnam. However, it became particularly controversial and widespread during the 1965–1973 period, as U.S. troop involvement escalated. The draft officially ended in 1973 when the U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force.
Vietnam War Draft Begins (1964)

 U.S. government started drafting soldiers in response to the growing conflict in Vietnam. 

 Lucia Krautheim
The end of the month Mar 1965 to The end of the month Mar 1965

First Anti-War Teach-In (1965)

First Anti-War Teach-In (1965)

The first anti-war teach-in which took place at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Organized by faculty members and students, the event was a response to growing opposition to the Vietnam War and marked a new form of peaceful protest that combined education and activism.

 Lucia Krautheim
The middle of the month Jan 1967 to The middle of the month Jan 1967

Human Be-In (1967)

A gathering of thousands of young people in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, organized to promote peace, love, and freedom
Human Be-In (1967)

A gathering of thousands of young people in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, organized to promote peace, love, and freedom.

 Lucia Krautheim
The end of the month Autumn 1967 to The end of the month Autumn 1967

"Stop the Draft" Week (1967)

Stop the Draft Week was a coordinated effort to resist the Vietnam War draft through protests, civil disobedience, and public demonstrations across the United States.
"Stop the Draft" Week (1967)
A coordinated effort to resist the Vietnam War draft through protests, civil disobedience, and public demonstrations across the United States.

 

 

 Lucia Krautheim
The middle of the month Summer 1969 to The middle of the month Summer 1969

Woodstock Music Festival (1969)

Woodstock, the legendary music festival of 1969, was meant to be a gathering for young people to come together and celebrate their shared beliefs in peace and love through music. It became a symbol of the counterculture movement during the chaos of the Vietnam War era, offering a chance for people to unite, build a sense of community, and find an escape from the difficult times in American history.
Woodstock Music Festival (1969)

Popular music festival that became a symbol of the counterculture movement during the chaos of the Vietnam War era which allowed people to unite, build a sense of community, and find an escape from the difficult times of the period.

 Lucia Krautheim
The start of the month Spring 1970 to The start of the month Spring 1970

Kent State Shootings (1970)

Members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a group of anti-Vietnam War demonstrators at Kent State University, resulting in the deaths of four students and injuring nine others; the shootings sparked a nationwide student strike.
Kent State Shootings (1970)

Members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a group of anti-Vietnam War demonstrators at Kent State University, resulting in the deaths of four students and injuring nine others; the shootings sparked a nationwide student strike. 

 Lucia Krautheim
The end of the month Winter 1973 to The end of the month Winter 1973

Paris Peace Accords (1973)

Officially ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Paris Peace Accords (1973)

Officially ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

 Lucia Krautheim