President Johnson's unexpected decision not to seek a second term as president was a direct result of the strong public reaction being generated against the continuation of the war in Viet Nam. The first isolated mutterings of discontent against the war had grown into an angry roar of protest as government support among the people eroded. At the same time, the seething coals of dissatisfaction in the face of a seemingly unresponsive bureaucracy burst into open flame as protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, and marches became common place. Demands replaced discussion as segments of the population became disenchanted with traditional governmental processes as a means of promoting change. As the conscience of the minority became the conscience of the majority, the American government took steps to disengage from the unwanted and unsupported war.
This time of protest was characterized by the following trends or movements:
1. Many people strongly desired to end the seemingly interminable conflict in Viet Nam. Frustrated by efforts to deal with the government, protest leaders turned to practices successfully followed by earlier southern integration leaders to accomplish their goal.
2. The protest movement became widespread and popular due to the desire of many people, especially many of the nation's youth, who wanted to have a voice in their future.
3. Reflecting this attitude, many institutions and organizations have made efforts to incorporate more people, especially youth, into the decisionmaking process.
4. Concurrently, a negative reaction toward and a rejection of such tactics, capped by the tragedy at Kent State, as a means of accomplishing desired goals occurred.
5. Concomitant to the protest movement has been a tendency by some members of society to reject traditional morals and values. As a result some have adopted new life styles.
6. One effect of the rejection of bigness, bureaucracy, technology, and impersonalization has been a strong and almost universal emphasis on
minorities and individuals. The ideal of the "melting pot" has given way to the goal of a pluralistic society. The process of socialization has taken a back seat to individual differences.
7. Crowing awareness of the hazards of technologically produced pollution and the capability of modern society to destroy itself have led to disillusionment and disenchantment with modern science and with education for not producing solutions to society's problems.