About the book
Shedding light on a misunderstood form of opposition to the Vietnam War, Michael Foley tells the story of draft resistance, the cutting edge of the antiwar movement at the height of the war’s escalation. Unlike so-called draft dodgers, who left the country or manipulated deferments, draft resisters openly defied draft laws by burning or turning in their draft cards. Like civil rights activists before them, draft resisters invited prosecution and imprisonment.
Focusing on Boston, one of the movement’s most prominent centers, Foley reveals the crucial role of draft resisters in shifting antiwar sentiment from the margins of society to the center of American politics. Their actions inspired other draft-age men opposed to the war — especially college students — to reconsider their place of privilege in a draft system that offered them protections and sent disproportionate numbers of working-class and minority men to Vietnam. This recognition sparked the change of tactics from legal protest to mass civil disobedience, drawing the Johnson administration into a confrontation with activists who were largely suburban, liberal, young, and middle class — the core of Johnson’s Democratic constituency.
Examining the day-to-day struggle of antiwar organizing carried out by ordinary Americans at the local level, Foley argues for a more complex view of citizenship and patriotism during a time of war.
Editions of Confronting the War Machine
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807827673
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807854365
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807862438
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890873354
Read an Excerpt
Shedding light on a misunderstood form of opposition to the Vietnam War, Michael Foley tells the story of draft resistance, the cutting edge of the antiwar movement at the height of the war’s escalation. Unlike so-called draft dodgers, who left the country or manipulated deferments, draft resisters openly defied draft laws by burning or turning in their draft cards. Like civil rights activists before them, draft resisters invited prosecution and imprisonment.
Focusing on Boston, one of the movement’s most prominent centers, Foley reveals the crucial role of draft resisters in shifting antiwar sentiment from the margins of society to the center of American politics. Their actions inspired other draft-age men opposed to the war — especially college students — to reconsider their place of privilege in a draft system that offered them protections and sent disproportionate numbers of working-class and minority men to Vietnam. This recognition sparked the change of tactics from legal protest to mass civil disobedience, drawing the Johnson administration into a confrontation with activists who were largely suburban, liberal, young, and middle class — the core of Johnson’s Democratic constituency.
Examining the day-to-day struggle of antiwar organizing carried out by ordinary Americans at the local level, Foley argues for a more complex view of citizenship and patriotism during a time of war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Confronting the War Machine about?
Shedding light on a misunderstood form of opposition to the Vietnam War, Michael Foley tells the story of draft resistance, the cutting edge of the antiwar movement at the height of the war’s escalation. Unlike so-called draft dodgers, who left the country or manipulated deferments, draft resisters openly defied draft laws by burning or turning in their draft cards. Like civil rights activists before them, draft resisters invited prosecution and imprisonment.
Focusing on Boston, one of the movement’s most prominent centers, Foley reveals the crucial role of draft resisters in shifting antiwar sentiment from the margins of society to the center of American politics. Their actions inspired other draft-age men opposed to the war — especially college students — to reconsider their place of privilege in a draft system that offered them protections and sent disproportionate numbers of working-class and minority men to Vietnam. This recognition sparked the change of tactics from legal protest to mass civil disobedience, drawing the Johnson administration into a confrontation with activists who were largely suburban, liberal, young, and middle class — the core of Johnson’s Democratic constituency.
Examining the day-to-day struggle of antiwar organizing carried out by ordinary Americans at the local level, Foley argues for a more complex view of citizenship and patriotism during a time of war.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Confronting the War Machine?
History and Archaeology > History > Military history > Specific wars and military campaigns > Military history: post-WW2 conflicts
Where can I read a sample of Confronting the War Machine?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807827673
How long is Confronting the War Machine and how many pages does it have?
Confronting the War Machine has 456 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Confronting the War Machine?
Michael S. Foley
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Confronting the War Machine is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807827673) and paperback(ISBN 9780807854365) and ebook(ISBN 9780807862438) and pdf(ISBN 9798890873354)
Where can I buy Confronting the War Machine online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Confronting the War Machine from below
Where can I buy Confronting the War Machine?