The Impact of the Antiwar Movement
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Watch the youtube video by clicking here
- Terry Provance co-moderator, religious and peace activist
- Robert Levering co-moderator peace activist, film producer
- David Cortright former Notre Dame University professor, GI peace activist
- Carolyn Eisenberg professor Hofstra University, author, peace activist
- Morton H Halperin former Defense Department and National Security Council staff
- Michael Koncewicz New York University
Historians for Peace and Democracy (H-PAD)Brooklyn for Peace

Carolyn Rusti Eisenberg Professor of US History and American Foreign Policy at Hofstra University. Her new book "Fire and Rain: Nixon, Kissinger and the Wars in Southeast Asia" ( Oxford University Press) won the 2024 Bancroft Prize for American History. Her prize-winning book, "Drawing the Line: the American Decision to Divide Germany, 1944-49" (Cambridge University Press) traces the origins of the Cold War in Europe. She is a co-founder of Brooklyn for Peace, and a Legislative Coordinator for Historians for Peace and Democracy.

Robert Levering is an Executive Producer and Advisor to the Boys Who Said NO! a recently completed film about draft resistance during the Vietnam era. (boyswhosaidno.com) He is currently working on a documentary entitled The Movement and the Madman about the impact of the 1969 Moratorium and Mobilization demonstrations in preventing Nixon from escalating the war (movementandthemadman.com) A draft resister himself, Robert was a full-time antiwar organizer for six years during the Vietnam War. A long-time journalist, he wrote an article on the current controversy about registering women for the draft: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2020/05/activists-fought-military-draft-conscription-congress-women-register/
Terry Provance After graduating from college in 1969, I became involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement first organizing locally in Pittsburgh and then eventually with national groups like Harrisburg Defense Committee for Dan and Phil Berrigan, Pentagon Papers Trial and Medical Aid for Indochina. I began working with the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia in 1973 to oppose US nuclear weapons until 1983 when I went to graduate school in Berkeley, California. I received a fellowship and then studied two years in South America and worked with human rights groups in Chile. I returned to Pittsburgh where I pastored a local United Church of Christ congregation for 5 years and then worked in its national office on peace and justice issues for 10 years. I then worked 12 years with Oikocredit, an international anti-poverty organization, as its Executive Director in the United States. I retired in 2012.
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Chat
20:58:29 From Alex Knopp to Hosts and panelists : I would like to ask a question about the international peace movement impact. Alex
20:59:00 From Thomas Weiner to Hosts and panelists : My name is Tom Weiner and I want to share the book i wrote - "Called to Serve: Stories of the Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft" and the play that was adapted from it entitled “The Draft”. The book and play include stories of all the choices draft age men faced during the war including anti-draft and anti-war activists and what they did and did not accomplish as well as the impact of their activism on themselves, their families and their communities. The stories of each choice invariably reveal the degree to which the war changed lives then and since both enormously and permanently.
21:00:08 From Steven Goldsmith : No mention of impact on future organizers and movements
21:00:56 From Thomas Weiner to Hosts and panelists : Thanks to all the panelists whose presentations were powerful, informative and affirming of the anti-war movement from the VVAW, draft resisters, the anti-war movement protests and Tom Hayden’s role.
21:02:01 From Joel Schwartz to Hosts and panelists : What a great panel that brought back memories. Something I didn’t know was that in 1972 there were more conscientious objectors than there were people inducted. That is incredible!
21:02:31 From Thomas Weiner to Hosts and panelists : For the myths about the soldiers getting spat upon, there’s Jerry Lembcke’s THE SPITTING IMAGE…
21:02:33 From Michael Benefiel to Hosts and panelists : Following the 1968 assassination of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, cities burned and the National Guard occupied them. How did the interwoven links of civil rights activism and Antiwar activism succeed in coalitions and how did these fail?
21:02:40 From EDWARD FOX : Never mentioned was the first time in American History that US Military Officers organized against the war. The Concerned Officers Movement had hundreds of active duty officers throughout the World that expressed in many ways their objection to the war.
21:05:21 From cheryl/she on Duwamish-land aka seattle : I don't know if it's accurate, but it seems like more hi-profile artists were publicly involved in the Vietnam-era anti-war movement than in more recent, current, and ongoing wars so my question is: how much of an impact does it make if well-respected/loved artists/musicians publicly speak against war?
21:05:34 From Ola Nosseir : it will get worse
21:07:12 From Francis Shor : A novel that incorporates antiwar and anti draft activities in the years, 1967-1970: passagesofrebellion.franshor,com
21:08:16 From Marc Gilbert : More attention should be made to the Vietnam Veterans Against the War who validated what was in the hearts and minds of anti-war workers in the darkest of days.
21:08:55 From Laurent gilbert : In light of what happened to end the war in Vietnam, what would you propose for ending the genocide in Palestine. Certainly the universities and colleges are raising the issue. What need to be done to entice the general public to get involved in ending the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank that is operating with our dollars and weapons?
21:09:54 From Faye Williams : Last comment. Please include African American historians in next Panel
21:10:08 From Michael Benefiel to Hosts and panelists : Nixon’s cynical decision to end the draft by starting the lottery, in my experience, divided my age cohort depending on our lottery results. We divided against one another with many, like Cadet Bonespurs, privileged to both escape service and hold those who did serve in contempt as losers. Did this deepen national divisions we live with today?
21:10:26 From Randy Ross to Hosts and panelists : There are some (many?) high school teachers who have taught about the Vietnam War. In 1996, I planned a one month unit on the Vietnam War in my high school class of 30 seniors that spring. US publishers had started to publish literature by
21:11:42 From Randy Ross to Hosts and panelists : [That last chat comment was from my husband, Ernie Brill.] as I was saying, by
21:11:49 From Willa Seidenberg : Please watch out at the end of April for our podcast A Matter of Conscience: GI Resistance During the Vietnam War., based on our book and exhibition from 1992 (David Cortright is one of 58 veterans we interviewed). Check out amatterofconscience.com. William Short and Willa Seidenberg.
21:11:56 From Randy Ross to Hosts and panelists : Vietnamese writers such as: Bao Nin’s Sorrows of War. Le Luu’s Time Far Past. and others. I planned to have speakers, short films, history essays, and such other books as The Quiet American
21:16:30 From Joel Schwartz to Hosts and panelists : There was a tremendous amount of music that was anti-war that I suspect also helped grow the antiwar movement among the GI’s. Check out our webinars with Peter Yarrow and Holly Near
21:16:55 From Marc Gilbert : Next month will see the publication of a massive teacher-constructed and developed guide to digital resources on teaching the wars in Indochina in high schools. Just google the on-line journal world History Connected (Mason--it has a new address) next month. Marc Jason Gilbert
21:18:20 From lillian shirley to Hosts and panelists : Because Our Fathers Lied — title
21:19:28 From Randy Ross to Hosts and panelists : The Things They Carry. I sent a letter home to parents. then everything snowballed.A mother said she wanted to come in and talk about her high school sweetheart killed his second week in Vietnam A woman who’d been triage nurse brought in her scrapbook. A local poet discussed his experiences as a medic . The course went three months.
21:21:10 From Bill Davis to Hosts and panelists : This is a splendid program, thanks to each and every participant. Thank you all of you and especially to John and the VPCC. I look forward to sharing it with family and friends.
21:22:17 From Nancy Wechsler : That was a sexist slogan
21:24:54 From stephen talbot to Hosts and panelists : Our film, The Movement and the "Madman" will be televised again in Vietnam on April 30, and PBS is re-airing it on May 10 at 9 pm, but check with your local station for when they will actually air it. Also available on PBS Passport, Amazon, Kanopy, etc.
21:25:16 From Carol Jensen : yes!
21:27:33 From Marc Gilbert : See Barbara Tischler's "Don't Call Us Girls: Women's Protest, Activism, and Actions in the Vietnam War", 2024, very strong on Women's Strike for Peace.
21:28:12 From Anne Stevens to Hosts and panelists : Michael K. Thank you for your work.
21:29:37 From susan gregory to Hosts and panelists : 1972 Indochina Peace Campaign had a big impact in Central PA with local Congressman going to court to prevent Jane Fonda from speaking in York— he lost .
21:30:23 From cheryl/she on Duwamish-land aka seattle : Thank you all. This is is so relevant to now🙏🏽
21:30:38 From Carol Jensen : Thank you to all for excellent presentations. I can't make it Friday but will listen afterwards.
21:31:16 From Barbara Harrison to Hosts and panelists : Thanks for this superb program. I added to my knowledge.
21:31:38 From Marc Gilbert : So many insights, much appreciated!
21:32:49 From cheryl/she on Duwamish-land aka seattle : Yes, that makes sense
21:33:03 From Joanne Hessmiller : Thanks for these presentations and the fascinating and important conversation.
21:33:09 From Barbara Phinney : A wonderful presentation. Peace. Free Palestine!
21:33:11 From Mary Posner : Thanks for organizing this excellent webinar. You did a great job of pulling things together. I just hope that we can use your insights to make changes again
21:33:17 From Dana Moss : Thank you everyone! It was an honor as always
21:33:36 From Bill Davis to Hosts and panelists : ❤️
21:33:41 From Terry Provance to Hosts and panelists : Thank you all. Terry
21:33:53 From William Meyers : Well done!!
21:34:04 From susan gregory to Hosts and panelists : Plus Nixon’s aide from Wilkes Barre area which had just suffered a devastating flood, with coffins flowing down the streets,-his aide prevented Jane from coming to speak in WB college
What would have happened in Vietnam if the anti-war movement had just quit around 1968? William Forrest
"John, We could note also the not long ago passing of Peter Yarrow" David Hawk
Just a comment - It is incredible that there were more CO’s in 1972 than people inducted. Joel Schwartz
Thank yall for teaching me more history!!! Community History/ Herstory... mamasclubgainesville.org Faye Williams
What effect did the Baltimore Four (Oct 27, 1967) and Catonsville Nine (May 17, 1968) actions have on the the draft resistance.? What was the effect of the Catholic priests Daniel and Philip Berrigan participating in the above actions Anonymous Attendee
Perhaps someone will cover this, but I would like some comment today or Friday on the long term effects of local anti-war organizing, activating people for a lifetime of work for social justice. on a wide range of issues and changing institutions, including religious institutions. Many of these people are those who are in the streets today. Carol Jensen
How does this esteemed panel evaluate the early, and enduring, role of Women Strike for Peace and other women-powered antiwar campaigns? Kit Norland
What can we learn from the success of the antiwar movement that can help us resist what the current administration is doing to our country? Will a mass movement make a difference now? Mary Posner
It is great to hear all of this information and analysis. Here is the key issue for us today: what does this mean for our resistance movement in these times? I direct this to Rusti Eisenberg but others who want to speak to it. Randy Ross
Seeking lessons for resistance today. Were you aware of the action of government surveillance and attempted subversion through infiltration at the time you were organizing? Anonymous Attendee
Thanks for recognizing African American struggles. Faye Williams
Thoughts from panelists on why the antiwar movement dwindled precipitously after 1975? And its members seemingly had little political impact in the next decades? Carolyn Gates
Thinking of the Catholic Left, the acquittal of the Camden 28, who were caught in the act in raiding a draft board, was due to the jury's understanding of the anti-war movement presented by months of witnesses. I recommend Michelle Nickerson’s new book on the Camden 28 Dick Lavine
Regarding war crimes -- remember the Bertrand Russel War Crimes Tribunal, early on in the Vietnam War. Ignored in the US, perhaps, but a big deal in Europe. stephen talbot
To follow up on the issue of what the antiwar movement might have done differently, or what didn't work: should the antiwar movement have supported Humphrey in the 1968 election, in the end? Robert Shaffer
Also note Legacies of War work in relation to demining. William Meyers
Talk about how it broke the mass belief in "AMERICA" and the Government. And how it impacted future movements and organizers Steven Goldsmith
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