Anti-Vietnam War Protests

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The Anti-Vietnam War protests were a pivotal historical event that significantly influenced public opinion and contributed to the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. These protests began in earnest in 1965, as the U.S. escalated its military involvement. Demonstrations grew into a large-scale social movement, incorporating elements of the civil rights and counterculture movements of the 1960s. Key events included the 1967 March on the Pentagon and the 1969 Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants. The movement involved diverse groups, including students, civil rights activists, and veterans. Notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali played significant roles. Protests often featured civil disobedience and symbolic acts like draft card burning. The movement's impact was substantial, shifting public opinion against the war and pressuring policymakers to withdraw U.S. forces. By 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam, marking a significant victory for the anti-war movement.