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growing opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War (1959–75) had produced massive demonstrations nationwide
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President Richard M. Nixon (1913–1994; served 1969–74) announced that U.S. forces had invaded territory in Cambodia. The announcement triggered huge demonstrations on college campuses across the country. Kent State was one of these colleges.
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ROTC building is burnt down and the National Guard is called to KSU.
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The National Guard used tear gas against students to disperse a peaceful demonstration. Several students were beat and bayoneted others, but there were no fatalities.
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National Guardsmen open fire into the protesters, killing 4 people.
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The case was officially closed.
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The Kent State Shootings helped the end of the draft in 1973, and this is when campus protests started to decrease.
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It was opened again in 1974, after Nixon resigned the presidency, but the charges against the National Guard were again dismissed.
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Book by Edward J. Grant and Michael Hill
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Book by by Joseph Kelner and James Munves
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Movie
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Book by William Gordon
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Movie by Jay Craven
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There are beliefs that the shootings marked the beginning of the war in the Southeast Asia to come to an end. It is believed that the shootings marked when the repressiveness tendencies of the government created a will for change. It is also believed that the gunfire ended the belief that it’s possible to stand up to the government. The shootings have affected society today because it has diminished the belief that it’s possible to stand up for what you believe in against the government.
