Blog Post #10:Antiwar Movement in the United States
During World War I, specifically in 1917, there was an robust antiwar movement that started in the United States. Opposing the nation's involvement in foreign military conflicts. This movement comprised of people and organizations that reject the idea of engaging in warfare from other countries.
Research has shown that the antiwar sentiment starting getting more attention early in the war. The U.S. government responded to this with significant repression. According to Smithsonian Magazine,“in June 1917, the government blocked the mailing of anti-war newspapers and arrested 2,000 protesters on charges of inspiring resistance to military recruitment. States passed sedition laws and arrested dissenters” (Trickey, 2018). This shows that the widespread hostility to those toward opposed the war and the lengths to which the government went to silence them. The impact of these actions were impactful as supporter of the U.S involvement in World War I were trying to eliminate any opposition that might undermine their objectives.
The challenges that I faced by antiwar activist persist even today. Individuals can express opposition to military engagement often see themselves in mainstream media. According to Antiwar.com, dissenting voices rarely receive coverage making it difficult for them to gain recognition as an credible commentator. The lack of platform is not coincidental. Media prioritizes pro war narratives , because they effectively oppose viewpoints and limit their visibility.
When the U.S engaged in the war, the government was trying to rally public support, being able to show an united front with military against perceived enemies. Media narrative can jeopardize this support as demonstrated during the Vietnam War. Walter Cronkite's famous broadcast from Vietnam stating If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost Middle America,” highlighted the powerful influence of media on public perception (The Vietnam War and the Media, 2023). Negative reporting on conflict lead to increasing opposition and allow antiwar movement to be able to take over mainstream discussions.
Publications from the antiwar movement are essential because they offer perspectives that neglect the mainstream media. This provides an deeper understanding of the complexities of war and can influence public opinion. Many individual still remain strict in their belief, exposure to antiwar viewpoints can prompt some consider to their stance.
The antiwar movement has faced challenges in gaining attention within the news media. The opposition to war dates back to World War I and continues to be a vital part of the conversion surrounding military conflict.
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