The Vietnam War
Infringements and Limitations:
- Unpopular draft
- Attempts to stop publication of the Pentagon Papers
- Domestic surveillance
- 1st Amendment
- 4th Amendment
Background
The Vietnam War started in 1955 when the North Vietnamese communist government and Southern communist rebels attacked the South Vietnamese government in order to overthrow it and unite the country under communism. The US got involved in the 1960s in order to prevent the spread of communism, much like they had done in the Korean War. As time progressed, US involvement escalated, much to the dismay of everyday Americans.
Anti-war protests were prominent all over America during this time. And as with other unpopular wars in history, draft riots ensued. This vast opposition to the war caused the CIA to spy on anti-war groups. Later, during President Nixon's term the government attempted to halt the publication of the Pentagon Papers, secret defense department documents leaked to the New York Times, interfering with the right to free press. However, this attempt failed in the Supreme Court case New York Times Company v United States, when the court decided in favor of the New York Times and allowed them to continue publishing the documents.
Anti-war protests were prominent all over America during this time. And as with other unpopular wars in history, draft riots ensued. This vast opposition to the war caused the CIA to spy on anti-war groups. Later, during President Nixon's term the government attempted to halt the publication of the Pentagon Papers, secret defense department documents leaked to the New York Times, interfering with the right to free press. However, this attempt failed in the Supreme Court case New York Times Company v United States, when the court decided in favor of the New York Times and allowed them to continue publishing the documents.