While the whole world watched: Rhetorical failures of anti‐war protest∗

An earlier version of this essay was presented at the 1986 convention of the Eastern Communication Association.

Contrary to beliefs popular in some circles, those who protested against the Vietnam War were not instrumental in bringing it to an end. Public reaction to demonstrations was so negative that such actions may actually have prolonged the war by hardening attitudes of many Americans. The anti‐war protesters failed to sway public opinion because of a variety of rhetorical factors. Some of these were under the control of the protesters, while others were inherent in their intended audience.

Key concepts:

• War
• Vietnam
• protest
• rhetorical strategy
• audience analysis
• demonstrations
• social movements

Notes

An earlier version of this essay was presented at the 1986 convention of the Eastern Communication Association.