Kent State University Protests

What was the Kent State Protest?

The Kent State Protest, or Kent State shootings, involved the shooting and killing of unarmed university students who were protesting against the Vietnam War.

When did the Kent State University protest shootings happen?

The Kent State protest occurred between 1st and 4th May, 1970. The shootings took place on the final day.

Where did the Kent State Shootings happen?

The shootings happened at Kent State University in the state of Ohio.

Why did the Kent State University protest shootings happen?

There were 2 main reasons for the shootings:

• ❖ Protestors were demonstrating at the university against the Vietnam War. This was prompted by Nixon's announcement of the invasion of Cambodia and the need for 150,000 more US troops.
• ❖ The Ohio state governor had sent in the National Guard to stop the demonstrations that had taken place all weekend. On the Monday, the protests turned violent and events escalated to the shootings.

What were the key events in the Kent State University protest shootings?

There were 6 key events in the Kent State University protest shootings:

• ❖ President Nixon announced to the American public that US forces had invaded Cambodia on 30th April, 1970.
• ❖ Protests across America took place the next day at many colleges and universities, including Kent State University.
• ❖ Protests continued over the weekend, often escalating to clashes between protesters and police. Windows were smashed and police cars vandalised.
• ❖ With further protests planned for Monday, 4th May, amid fears of continued violence, 1,000 National Guardsmen were sent to stop them.
• ❖ Just after midday, violence erupted. Students threw rocks and the National Guardsmen responded with tear gas.
• ❖ In the chaos, at 12.24pm, some of the National Guardsmen started shooting at the protesters. 4 students, including one called Jeffrey Miller, were killed and a further 9 were injured.

How did the Kent State Protest begin?

The Kent State shootings started when National Guardsmen fired their guns into a crowd of student protesters and students. The reasons for the shooting remain unclear.

How did the Kent State Protest develop?

There were 5 main developments over the first four days of May:

• ❖ There were clashes between anti-war protesters and pro-war supporters.
• ❖ There were student demonstrations over the following days. These included sit-ins and the students occupying some university buildings, as well as setting fire to the Reserve Officers' Training Office on campus.
• ❖ The state governor sent in 900 National Guardsmen with tear gas and rifles.
• ❖ The students threw gas canisters and bricks at the National Guard.
• ❖ The National Guard fired into the crowd and killed four students. Nine other people were injured.

What happened to the National Guardsmen that had carried out the shootings at the Kent State University protest?

The government investigated the shootings and a report stated that the guardsmen's actions were "unnecessary, unwarranted, and inexcusable". 8 of them were arrested but there was not enough evidence to prosecute.

What was the public reaction to the shootings at the Kent State Protest?

There were 3 main reactions to the shooting:

• ❖ The public was horrified by the shootings, which caused outrage across America.
• ❖ However, there was some support for the National Guardsmen who had shot at the students.
• ❖ There were protests at other universities, and about 2 million students went on strike because of the killings.

Why were the shootings at the Kent State Protest controversial?

The students killed in the Kent State shootings were white and middle class, which was why there was such public outrage. When two black students were shot and 12 injured during an anti-war protest at Jackson State University, there was very little publicity or reaction.

What was significant about the shootings at the Kent State University protest?

The shootings were significant as it strengthened the anti-war movement further and led to increased calls for America to withdraw from Vietnam.