In the U.S., opposition to the Vietnam War was often associated with communists and a ‘hippie’ culture perceived as more disposed to "grooving out to rock ‘n’ roll” than pertinent issues (Moody 4). While Davidson College participated in the anti-war movement, the Southern-conservative values that characterized the school often caused protest to be displayed in a civil and non-confrontational manner.

Davidson students in the 1960’s were all male and were expected to live up to a specific code of conduct. "The Davidson Gentleman" was to be courteous, steady, clean spirited, and cultured (Handbook 62). In fact, admissions tried diligently to weed out those who did not fit the Davidson mold (Carson 2). While every student did not typify "The Davidson Gentleman," it was unquestionably an influencing force on the college community.

Student apathy and campus wide involvement in an array of activities caused student dissent toward Vietnam to grow slowly. While there was already large organized student protests occurring at larger schools by 1965, Davidson only had several small student organizations protesting the war as of 1966 (“Vietnam War Protest” 2003). Furthermore, groups, such as the Committee for Student Action, disbanded due to lack of participation (Hamilton 1). However, as the draft and America’s involvement increased, students increasingly became concerned. Professors and visiting speakers orchestrated “Teach-in’s,” which informed students about the war and provoked questions concerning U.S. involvement (Embree 1).

 

 

Professor Williams addresses students at the War Memoratorium

 

Initially, protests remained small and independent, but as the war continued, they grew in size and frequency. As the Army’s representative on campus, the ROTC department received a lot of attention. In April 1966, Samuel Johnson waved a Nazi flag and heckled ROTC cadets as they drilled, but later apologized (Johnson 2). Two years later, the picketing of a local barbershop, relating to civil rights, united rebellious spirits on campus (Hooker 1 ). Resulting from this heightened social awareness, Davidson participated in a War Moratorium that was observed throughout the country in 1969 (Woodmansee 1969). The moratorium came under heavy criticism for being associated with communists, but SGA President Hobbie stressed "Davidson’s program will be of its’, own design" and "all shades of opinion are invited" (Lawrimore 1969).

However, the biggest point of dissent on campus occurred after the tragic events of Kent State in May 1970. Black draped caskets and wooden crosses occupied the lawn in front of Belk Dormitory (McLean 1). Professors Gaige, Kaylor, and Jackson held a peace vigil around the town post office (Gaige 1970), and President Spencer wrote a statement condemning the Kent State massacre (Spencer 1970). Furthermore, seventy to one hundred students took part in a ‘sit-in’ at the ROTC department that resulted in the cancellation of a planned drill ("Anti-War Protestors" 1).

 

Conflicting Perspectives

 

After these vocal demonstrations, the campus slowly reverted back to a noninterventionist state ("Campaign for Peace" 2). ROTC opposition persisted, and some students even traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in protests ("Peaceful Demonstrators" 1). In the early 1970’s, due to Nixon’s policy of Vietnamization, a decrease in the draft, and a scarce job market, students refocused their efforts on academics. The Paris Accords of 1973 formally ended the Vietnam conflict, and the small amount of protest that remained on campus ceased.