Student Activism on the Washington University Campus

Undergraduate paper, 1990 _x000D_ Student activism on the Washington University campus, as with many other college campuses, peaked during the mid 1960's, and early 1970's. Political and social awareness had been gradually rising with the onset of the 1960's and in February of 1965, the bombing of North Vietnam sent students and faculty throughout the demonstrations, sit-ins, into turmoil, marches, and War discussions, protests were held throughout the nation, particularly on the college campus. The Civil Rights Movement was also getting under way, as the black community throughout the country was uniting and desperately fishing tor their right to equality. A communist scare pervaded over America, as a communist invasion of the world appeared eminent. Americans within the intellectual community were beginning to question the rhetoric of government officials. Who was the enemy? What was the bomb. What were we fighting for? Consequently, the conservatism of the 50's was pushed aside. "The times, they were a changin," and the students were preparing to insure their niche in society.