The Century, America's Time Approaching the Apocalypse 2 of 3

Summary

The 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.