The Century, America's Time Approaching the Apocalypse 2 of 3
Summary
TLDRThe script recounts the turbulent early 1970s in America, marked by anti-Vietnam War sentiment, identity politics, and a society divided. Highlighting the Attica prison riot of 1971 and its aftermath, it underscores the nation's boiling tensions, reflecting on the war's impact on soldiers and the public's perception of the conflict. It also discusses President Nixon's foreign policy moves, including the historic visit to China and the arms limitation treaty with the Soviet Union, as strategies to navigate the Vietnam War towards a peaceful resolution.
Takeaways
- 👷♂️ The hard hats became heroes and symbols for the 'silent majority' who felt their way of life was under siege in the early 1970s.
- 🌐 The construction union leaders were praised and even invited to the White House, reflecting the political and social influence of these groups.
- 🔥 The backlash against identity politics and protests was brewing, leading to a tense social and political climate.
- 🏛️ The Attica prison riot in September 1971 was a significant event that further intensified the nation's anger and frustration, focusing on the prison system and its conditions.
- 🌐 The rhetoric of the Attica revolt was influenced by Marxist ideologies, highlighting the broader ideological struggles of the time.
- 👨👨👦👦 The Attica prison riot resulted in a violent response from the state, with 29 inmates and 10 hostages killed, marking the largest and deadliest attack on Americans by other Americans since the Civil War.
- 🌳 The Vietnam War was increasingly seen as unwinnable, with American troops feeling abandoned and a sense of despair growing among the soldiers.
- 🌟 President Nixon's strategy involved leveraging foreign policy, particularly with China and the Soviet Union, to pressure North Vietnam into making concessions.
- 🌐 Nixon's visit to China and subsequent signing of the first strategic arms limitation treaty with the Soviet Union were major diplomatic achievements that changed Cold War dynamics.
- 💣 Despite initial optimism, peace talks in Paris stalled, and Nixon ordered the bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong in an attempt to force North Vietnam back to the negotiating table.
- 🏆 Nixon's re-election in a landslide victory was partly due to his perceived success as a world statesman, although peace in Vietnam remained elusive.
Q & A
What symbolized the 'silent majority' during the early 1970s according to the script?
-The hard hat became a symbol for the so-called 'silent majority', those who felt their way of life was under siege.
What was the significant event in September 1971 that led to a backlash against the politics of protest?
-The significant event was the riot at Attica Correctional Facility in Upstate New York, where 1500 prison inmates demanded their rights, capturing 50 hostages and taking control of the prison's D yard.
What were the 'non-negotiable demands' issued by the inmates of Attica Correctional Facility?
-The script does not provide specific details about the 'non-negotiable demands', but it mentions that the inmates issued five such demands.
How did the Attica Correctional Facility riot end?
-The 4-day standoff ended with helicopters dropping CS gas on the D yard and State Police marksmen opening fire, resulting in the deaths of 29 inmates and 10 hostages.
What was the impact of the Attica riot on the perception of the United States at the time?
-The Attica riot was the largest and deadliest attack on Americans by other Americans since the Civil War and contributed to the perception that the country was in the middle of another civil war.
What was the sentiment among American troops in Vietnam by 1970?
-By 1970, American troops in Vietnam felt the country was abandoning the war and them, as the number of American ground forces had been cut in half.
What was the strategy behind President Nixon's foreign policy moves in China and the Soviet Union?
-Nixon aimed to have China pressure their North Vietnamese allies to come to terms at the peace table and to block the Soviet Union or China from presenting a united front against the United States.
What was the outcome of the secret negotiations between Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho?
-The negotiations did not make significant progress, but a separate set of secret negotiations led to a diplomatic coup, with America recognizing and dealing with Communist China.
What was the significance of the Christmas bombings of Hanoi and Haiphong by the United States?
-The bombings were an attempt by President Nixon to force North Vietnam back to the peace negotiations after they had left the talks and peace was not at hand.
How did the anti-war movement in America evolve during the early 1970s?
-The anti-war movement escalated and included not only protesters but also some of the men who had fought in the war, feeling lied to and betrayed.
What was the final outcome of the peace talks in Paris between the United States and North Vietnam?
-Despite the announcement that 'peace is at hand', the North Vietnamese left the negotiations and peace was not achieved by the end of 1972.
Outlines
🛠️ Construction Workers' Pride and the Rise of Identity Politics
In the early 1970s, construction workers in New York were celebrated as heroes for their role in a major event that saw them praised by Wall Street workers and given free coffee by local business owners. Union leaders were even invited to the White House, where they presented President Nixon with an honorary hard hat, symbolizing the 'silent majority' who felt under siege. This period was marked by a rise in identity politics, with various groups such as women, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, Black Panthers, and the Pink Panthers demanding their rights. The backlash against this political climate was intense, culminating in a September 1971 prison riot at Attica Correctional Facility in New York. The inmates took 50 hostages and issued five non-negotiable demands, reflecting Marxist rhetoric. The situation escalated, leading to a violent response from state authorities, resulting in the largest and deadliest attack on Americans by other Americans since the Civil War.
🏖️ The Brutal Reality of the Vietnam War and its Impact on American Troops
American soldiers in Vietnam during the 1970s were primarily focused on surviving their tour of duty, rather than winning the war. The conflict was seen as unwinnable, leading to a brutal existence that eroded morale and purpose. By 1970, many troops felt abandoned as the number of ground forces was halved under Nixon's policy of 'Peace With Honor.' New recruits faced the reality of fighting a war that was already lost, and the enemy's determination for victory or death contrasted sharply with the American soldiers' one-year tours. The reliance on air attacks and underground defenses did little to deter the enemy, who were continuously resupplied by China and the Soviet Union. The anti-war movement gained momentum, even among veterans who felt betrayed by the government. This disillusionment was further exacerbated by the government's handling of the war and the lack of a clear path to peace.
🌐 Nixon's Diplomatic Maneuvers and the Struggle for Peace in Vietnam
As the Vietnam War dragged on, President Nixon's approval ratings plummeted due to his elusive promise of 'Peace With Honor.' Peace talks in Paris were stalled, and secret negotiations with North Vietnam made little headway. However, in February 1972, a significant diplomatic breakthrough occurred when Nixon announced a visit to China, marking a major shift in Cold War politics. This move aimed to pressure North Vietnam into making concessions at the peace table. Nixon's visit to Moscow further complicated the geopolitical landscape, as he signed the first strategic arms limitation treaty with Leonid Brezhnev. Despite these diplomatic efforts, peace remained elusive, and by December 1972, Nixon ordered the bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong to force the North Vietnamese back to negotiations. These actions highlighted the complex and often contradictory strategies employed by Nixon in his quest for a resolution to the Vietnam War.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Silent Majority
💡Identity Politics
💡Attica Correctional Facility
💡Vietnam War
💡Peace With Honor
💡Anti-War Movement
💡Diplomatic Coup
💡Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
💡B-52 Bombers
💡Prisoners of War (POWs)
💡Nixon's Reelection
Highlights
Hard hats became a symbol of the 'silent majority' in the early 1970s, praised by Wall Street workers and given honorary recognition by President Nixon.
A variety of groups including women, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, Black Panthers, Gray Panthers, and Pink Panthers were demanding their rights during the era of identity politics.
The Attica Correctional Facility riot in September 1971 intensified the backlash against the politics of protest, as 1500 inmates took control and demanded rights.
The Attica riot resulted in a 4-day standoff that ended in a deadly 9-minute attack by state police, killing 29 inmates and 10 hostages.
The Attica riot was the largest and deadliest attack on Americans by other Americans since the Civil War.
American troops in Vietnam by 1970 felt the country was abandoning them, as ground forces were cut in half and new recruits felt they were fighting a lost war.
The enemy in Vietnam was fighting for home and had a strong national mobilization, including men, women, and children.
The anti-war movement escalated globally and even included some American veterans who felt lied to and betrayed.
President Nixon's foreign policy moves, including recognizing China and signing a strategic arms limitation treaty with the Soviet Union, aimed to pressure North Vietnam into peace talks.
The Christmas bombings of Hanoi by American B-52s in December 1972 did not result in significant damage to the POW camp, despite extensive destruction in the city.
The North Vietnamese appeared ready to make concessions in peace talks in October 1972 after Nixon's foreign policy moves, but negotiations stalled again by December.
President Nixon's recognition of China and visit to Moscow marked a significant shift in Cold War politics and demonstrated his strategic foreign policy skills.
The war in Vietnam was seen as unwinnable and criminal by some American soldiers, leading to a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment.
The war had a significant negative impact on the morale, sense of worth, and purpose of American soldiers, contributing to a brutal, prison-like existence of survival.
The war in Vietnam was influenced by the geopolitical interests of superpowers like China and the Soviet Union, who were more concerned with their own strategic goals than the fate of their North Vietnamese allies.
The Christmas bombings of Hanoi by the US in 1972 were a desperate attempt to force North Vietnam back to peace negotiations, but resulted in limited impact on the POW camp.
Transcripts
very proud uh we scattered the
enemy the hard hats were Heroes for a
few days praised by Wall Street workers
given free coffee by area lunchonette
owners the leaders of the construction
unions were invited to the White House
where they presented President Nixon
with an honorary hard hat and the hard
hat became a symbol for the so-called
silent majority those who felt their way
of life was now under Siege by the early
1970s it wasn't just anti Vietnam
protesters on the streets and on the
news anymore but a dizzying array of
other forces as well women Native
Americans chos Puerto Ricans black
panthers gray Panthers the openly gay
Pink Panthers all these groups forged in
this era of so-called identity politics
were all militantly demanding their
rights the backlash against this
politics of protest was just about ready
to
explode an event in September of 1971
hastened the eruption when 1500 prison
inmates rioted and demanded their rights
the nation's anger and frustration
became focused on the ateka correctional
facility in Upstate New
York the inmates captured 50 hostages
took control of the prison's dard and
issued what they call five
non-negotiable
demands wait a minute New York Times
Reporter Tom wicker was one of the
outside observers the inmates called on
to help negotiate the non-negotiable the
ATA inmates revolted basically against
uh internal prison conditions but the
rhetoric of the Revolt was very Marxist
you know uh the oppressed peoples of the
world arise the entire incident that
that has erupted here at Ana is a result
of the unmitigated oppression wrought by
the racist administrative network of
this
prison as this tense real life drama
unfolded families of the hostages
desperate for word on the condition of
their husbands or fathers or brothers
clustered around the
prison would you take that would you
take the mic out they saw Black Panther
leader Bobby seal come to visit the
inmates they heard that North Vietnam
offered the riers asylum
ATA quickly became a symbol for all of
America's boiling
hatreds I went outside prison uh to uh
report on what was happening inside and
all of a sudden there began to be these
shouts and screams from the crowd I hope
they kill you all that sort of thing
they identified us The Observers with
the with the
inmates the tensions mounted as neither
side seemed willing to make concessions
and the state ready to take the the
prison back by
force on the morning of the revolts
fourth day prison officials did not let
The Observers back into
dard armed state troopers were perched
on the Prison
Walls everybody got a gas
mas and certainly those uh scared young
Troopers thought the inmates were going
to kill the
host so they came in
scared they came in shooting they came
in taking no chances the hostages are on
the cck box would not H their
throat the 4-day standoff ended in 9
minutes of
Mayhem helicopters dropped CS gas on
dard and State Police Marksman open fire
killing 29 inmates and 10
hostages it's crazy they didn't have to
do that if to stay just sat there just
sat
there for two more weeks maybe three at
the outside I mean those guys would have
given
up will not be
CL your hands on top of your head and
move to the outside of the D and block
Corridor what is it now 20 odd years
later I can't get over that thing they
didn't have to do that you know but they
did what happened at Ana was the largest
and deadliest attack on Americans by
other Americans since the Civil War and
in 1971 it often looked as though the
country was in the middle of an another
civil
war
I'm just like the lot most of the guys I
would say in Vietnam I'm just going to
do my time and get out of here if I can
I'm not here to win a war I'm just here
to do my time and
rotate how short am I how much time do I
have left that's the biggest concern of
everyone and can I make
it the war was not going to be won it
was just going to be exited in the best
possible Poli itical
Manner and it was about dog eat dog and
surviving really a very brutal
prison-like existence of of
survival inside that really eats away at
you that has a has a tremendous negative
effect on your spirit and your your
sense of worth and your sense of purpose
you I was tired of all of it weary of it
too many deaths and too much pain and
too much suffering
by 1970 American troops left in Vietnam
felt the country was abandoning the war
and them
hey the number of American Ground Forces
had been cut in half as part of
President Nixon's pledge to win Peace
With Honor as the pullout continued new
recruits overwhelmingly draf e felt they
were being asked to fight a war already
lost on the battlefield and despised at
home the enemy had no doubt about its
purpose its only way out of the war was
Victory or death unlike American son who
came to Vietnam and they came only for
one year and then got out in Vietnam
there was no drop period like a one or
two years so you would go on to the end
of the day to the end of the
war great shot back in the third one you
can do that this one I'll buy you a case
of
beer
they were tough and they proved
it when the trails were bombed they
would carry all of their gear on their
back they were hump it for days they
were fighting for home which is
something I wasn't doing when you're
fighting for home you get
down as American ground forces were
being cut back air attacks were being
stepped up in an effort to pound
concession out of the
enemy we had to rely on caves and
tunnels and underground bunkers to
defend us because the B52 is a terrible
High take if you see half of the long
bomb like this then we know for sure
that it would go to another
place but when you look up and you see
ra bomb like this it means that it's
right on you
but continuous rounds of bombing and
hundreds of thousands of casualties did
little to deter an adversary
continuously resupplied by China and the
Soviet Union and able to recruit
seemingly endless numbers of
people there is truly a national
mobilization in that own people men and
women young children took part in
the national effort of
War we saw an
escalation of the antiw movement all
over the world and even in
America we heard about the killing of
the student in can State and uh
everything the news from the
antiw movement all over the world gave
us
strength Walt CT Tennessee four Brian
Stars right on in America by the early
'70s protesters against the war included
some of the men who had fought in it
once eager soldiers who now felt lied to
and betrayed I pray the time will
forgive me and my brothers what we did I
wasn't in Washington where they threw
their medals I thought I'd try to do one
better and I sent my campaign ribbons to
uh President Nixon I saw the war as as
completely unwinable which made it even
worse even more criminal go on fighting
a a war that you know you can't and
won't
win struck me as as worse than criminal
struck me as
Insanity as the war dragged on into the
10th year of American Military
involvement there was still no end in
sight Vietnam had already brought down
one president and was now threatening to
bring down another President Nixon
standing in the polls dropped severely
as the promise of Peace With Honor
proved elusive peace talks in Paris with
the North Vietnamese were stalled over
the concept of mutual withdrawal and the
release of American prisoners of war
secret negotiations between National
Security adviser Henry Kissinger and Lee
dooe were not making any progress but in
February of
1972 another set of secret negotiations
did lead to one of the biggest
diplomatic coups of the 20th
century
in one stunning swoop the Cold War
politics of the post-war era changed
America was recognizing and dealing with
the
Communists Nixon was the great
anti-communist and to come on national
television and announced that I've been
invited to China and I've accepted with
pleasure it was
astonishing and you could tell by the
reaction of the
press White House Aid Patrick Buchanan
was on the trip the president called the
we that changed the world we had a
wonderful we have at times in the past
been
enemies we have great differences today
he went to Beijing frankly because he
was trying to work the foreign policy
game to get the United States out
Vietnam With
Honor Nixon's aim was to have the
Chinese pressure their North Vietnamese
allies to come to terms at the peace
table and just 4 months after China
Richard Nixon became the first American
president to visit Moscow where he and
Leed brev signed the first strategic
arms limitation treaty the president got
something else as
well he wanted Ma and Joe and Li in
Beijing to have sleepless nights
wondering what's ni and talking to bref
about over there in Moscow
tonight and he was a genius at
this and putting those tensions on would
had the effect of blocking Soviet or
Chinese getting together to present a
united front against the United States
in Vietnam Nixon had taken a calculated
chance and it had worked the Soviet
Union cared more about getting controls
on American offensive missiles and
preventing the Americans from broadening
and thickening an anti-ballistic missile
system and they do about their little
allies in North Vietnam who were getting
the living hell bombed out of them and
there was a sense of being betrayed soed
up you know at that time by the by the
superpowers no longer able to depend on
their powerful allies the North
Vietnamese appeared ready to make
concessions at the peace talks in
October of 1972 there was an
announcement from the National Security
advisor we
believe that peace is at hand a month
later President Nixon now seen as a
seasoned World Statesman was reelected
in a
landslide
but by December peace was still not at
hand the North Vietnamese had left the
negotiations and President Nixon ordered
the bombing of Hanoi and the port of
Hong to force them back for 11 days
American B-52s pounded Hanoi with 40,000
tons of
bombs
Hanoi was in rubbles the railroads the
bridges were all down they had selected
targets obviously and US knew where we
were and the only thing that happened in
the p camp was a piece of plaster fell
down and it hit one of the PS in the
head and cut his head that's the only
the only injury throughout that whole
bombing Bob Jones was in Hanoi during
the Christmas bombings he was one of 500
American prisoners of War held in a
prison they called the handle
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