Member-only story

Death at Kent State: The Tragic Events of May 4, 1970

Jonathan Franzen

·16.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Death At Kent State: How A Photograph Brought The Vietnam War Home To America (Captured History)

5 min read · 6 days before

1k View Claps

86 Respond

Save

Listen

On May 4, 1970, the National Guard opened fire on a group of unarmed student protesters at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine. This incident, known as the Kent State shootings, was a watershed moment in the anti-war movement and American history.

Death at Kent State: How a Photograph Brought the Vietnam War Home to America (Captured History)

by Michael Burgan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13046 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	64 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

In this book, author James A. Michener tells the story of the shootings, from the buildup of tensions on campus to the aftermath of the tragedy. Michener interviews eyewitnesses, family members, and government officials to provide a comprehensive account of the events that led to the shootings and their impact on the nation.

Death at Kent State is a powerful and moving account of one of the most tragic events in American history. Michener's vivid writing and keen insights provide a deep understanding of the events of May 4, 1970, and their lasting legacy.

The Buildup to the Shootings

The Kent State shootings did not occur in a vacuum. In the years leading up to the tragedy, there was growing unrest on college campuses across the country over the Vietnam War. Students were protesting the war in increasing numbers, and their protests were often met with violence by police and National Guard troops.

At Kent State, tensions had been simmering for months before the shootings. In April 1970, President Richard Nixon announced that he was sending American troops into Cambodia, an escalation of the war that further angered many students. On May 1, a group of students burned down the ROTC building on campus. In response, the governor of Ohio called in the National Guard to restore Free Download.

The Shootings

On May 4, 1970, a group of students gathered on the Kent State campus to protest the presence of the National Guard. The Guard troops were Free Downloaded to disperse the crowd, and they used tear gas and bayonets to do so. The students responded by throwing rocks and bottles at the troops.

At one point, a group of students began to run toward a group of Guardsmen. The Guardsmen opened fire, killing four students and wounding nine others. The shootings震惊了国家, and they led to widespread protests and demonstrations.

The Aftermath

The Kent State shootings had a profound impact on the nation. The killings of unarmed students led to a loss of faith in the government and the military. The anti-war movement grew stronger, and the war in Vietnam became increasingly unpopular.

In the years since the shootings, there have been many investigations into what happened that day. The most comprehensive investigation was conducted by the President's Commission on Campus Unrest, also known as the Scranton Commission. The Scranton Commission concluded that the Guardsmen had fired without provocation and that the shootings were "unnecessary, unwarranted, and inexcusable."

The Legacy

The Kent State shootings remain a controversial event in American history. Some people believe that the Guardsmen were justified in using deadly force, while others believe that the shootings were a massacre. The shootings continue to be a reminder of the dangers of government overreach and the importance of protecting civil liberties.

The Kent State shootings have also left a lasting legacy on the anti-war movement. The shootings helped to galvanize the movement and bring it to a wider audience. The movement eventually succeeded in pressuring the government to end the war in Vietnam.

The Kent State shootings are a reminder of the dangers of government overreach and the importance of protecting civil liberties. They are also a reminder of the power of the anti-war movement and its ability to bring about change.

Death at Kent State: How a Photograph Brought the Vietnam War Home to America (Captured History)

by Michael Burgan

5 out of 5