Kent+State+and+Jackson+State+killings

= Kent State Killings =

==Overview== = = During the late 1960’s, the Vietnam War was coming to an end. Many people were opposed to the war and were not satisfied with its results. The new invasion of Cambodia angered the young college population because they didn’t want to be involved in another war they didn’t approve of. War being raged against another country increased the risk of there being another draft to take place, so college aged people began to lash out. Large demonstrations, burning of buildings, and large protest crowds gathered around the Kent State.

==Central Issue== During the first four days of May 1970 violence spread throughout Kent State. The first day, local business’s windows were smashed, a large crowd of protesters amassed, and a bonfire was starting in the middle of a street. By the second day, the Nation Guard had been called in to help stop the protesters and rioting. On the third, a large gathering had appeared on the central campus, tear gas was used to subdue the crowd. On the May 4, a large protest was to be held at noon. Infantry, armored cavalry, and the Ohio Nation Guard were called to stop the protesting. The military successfully scattered the crowds, but a few were angering them, so one started to fire his rifle at the students. Around thirty of the Guardsmen fired.

==Conclusion / Historical Significance== It not known whether a gunman had started fire on the Guard regiment or the Guard became scared of the advancing crowds and fired upon them. The shooting killed four and injured nine. Two of the killed students were not even participating in the revolts. Photographs of the aftermath of the killings were seen around the world as a clear presentation of the people’s disapproval of the Vietnam War. This event led to nearly 500 other college campuses to revolt themselves.