Kent State Massacre
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syoU-n4MezI/TcQIcmnFX8I/AAAAAAAAGEI/8RDwXhNiGIQ/s640/The+Kent+State+shootings+-+May+4%252C+1970+05.jpg
The Kent State Massacre took place on May 4, 1970 at Kent State University. The leaders were members of the Ohio National Guard and they wounded nine and killed four students (1).
Due to American involvement in Vietnam, colleges were holding anti-war protests. It was getting a lot better as involvement decreased but when America invaded Cambodia it started a whole chain reaction of protests. They held speeches in the courtyards against Nixon and called what was happening unconstitutional (3). As tensions rose between the students and the local police the National Guard was called in.
http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/files/legacy/KENTSTATE-AK-1-500.jpg
http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/files/legacy/KENTSTATE-AK-1-500.jpg
The first serious events happened on May 2nd as the wooden ROTC building on campus was burned down. Although it is unclear who started the fire the protestors were blamed. The next couple of days arrests were made, rocks were thrown, and tear gas was used by the guards (2).
http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/files/legacy/KENTSTATE-AK-2-500.jpg
http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/files/legacy/KENTSTATE-AK-2-500.jpg
On May 4th, a rally was scheduled that had been banned by the Guard. Nevertheless it still went on as planned. Around noon the guards started ordering people to leave and that the rally had been banned (4). When that didn't work they were order to take out weapons and load them with tear gas canisters. As most of the protestors had moved down the hill the twenty eight guards stood on the hill and shot mostly in the ground and air but some went into the crowd (3).
http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/files/legacy/54129-b-500.jpg
http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/files/legacy/54129-b-500.jpg
Although it may be true the guards just opened fire because they were afraid, the consequences of this event were drastic. Kent State University closed for six weeks and it triggered a nationwide reaction as many colleges and universities were forced to close as well. The whole situation clearly illustrated the divide between the nation about Vietnam.
http://nyx.uky.edu/dips/xt75736m0s6q/data/7D/2963_p/2963/2963.jpg
http://nyx.uky.edu/dips/xt75736m0s6q/data/7D/2963_p/2963/2963.jpg
Bibiliography:
1) Lewis, Jerry M. "May 4 Shootings." N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
2) "Kent May 4 Center, Kent State Tragedy, May 4, 1970, Home." Kent May 4 Center, Kent State Tragedy, May 4, 1970, Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
3) "Kent State Shootings - Ohio History Central." Kent State Shootings - Ohio History Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
4) Michener, James A. Kent State; What Happened and Why. New York: Random House, 1971. Print.
1) Lewis, Jerry M. "May 4 Shootings." N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
2) "Kent May 4 Center, Kent State Tragedy, May 4, 1970, Home." Kent May 4 Center, Kent State Tragedy, May 4, 1970, Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
3) "Kent State Shootings - Ohio History Central." Kent State Shootings - Ohio History Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
4) Michener, James A. Kent State; What Happened and Why. New York: Random House, 1971. Print.