Savanna Hoffman
The Kent State shootings, also known as the Kent State massacre, refer to the killing of four and wounding of nine unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on the Kent State University campus on May 4, 1970. The shootings took place during a rally protesting the expanding involvement of the Vietnam War into Cambodia by US military forces, as well as the National Guard presence on campus and the draft. The rally was organized by students, with an estimated 2,000 people gathering on the university's Commons, near Taylor Hall. The protest began with the ringing of the campus's iron Victory Bell, marking the beginning of the rally, with one person making a short speech and some protesters carrying flags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 4, 1970 |
| Number of Protesters | 2,000-3,000 |
| Protesters | Students, Kent State alumni, non-students (including Kent State dropouts and high school students) |
| Location | The Commons, a grassy knoll in the center of campus |
| Protest Type | Anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-genocide |
| Protest Against | US invasion of Cambodia, National Guard presence on campus, police treatment of black students, university investment in weapons manufacturers |
| Protest Actions | Speeches, flag-carrying, ringing of the Victory Bell, sit-ins, burying a copy of the US Constitution |
| Response | University attempted to ban the gathering, National Guard used tear gas and bayonets, shots fired, four students killed |
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What You'll Learn
The Kent State massacre
On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard killed four and wounded nine unarmed college students during an anti-Vietnam War protest at Kent State University. This incident, also known as the Kent State massacre or the May 4 massacre, marked a seminal moment in modern US history, symbolizing the political and cultural divides across the country at the time.
In the lead-up to the tragedy, Kent State University had a tradition of political activism, with over ten organizations involved in anti-war and civil rights activism from 1965 to 1970. On May 1, 1970, two rallies were held on campus to protest the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia and police treatment of black students at an earlier rally at Ohio State University. That night, fuelled by anger over the invasion of Cambodia, some individuals in downtown Kent overturned a garbage can, set its contents on fire, and clashed with the police. The city's mayor, Leroy Satrom, declared a civil emergency and requested the deployment of the National Guard to Kent.
On May 2, National Guard troops arrived in Kent and suppressed student riots. The next day, Governor Rhodes promised to use law enforcement agencies to drive dissident groups out of Kent. Despite attempts by university officials to ban rallies, on May 4, an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people gathered on campus for another protest. National Guard troops ordered the crowd to disperse, fired tear gas, and advanced with bayonets fixed on their rifles. Some protesters responded by throwing rocks and verbally taunting the troops. Without firing a warning shot, the Guardsmen discharged around 67 rounds in 13 seconds towards the demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of four students: Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Lee Scheuer, and William Schroeder. Nine others were wounded, one of whom was permanently paralysed.
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Student anger and anti-war sentiment
On April 30, 1970, President Nixon announced that he had authorized the US invasion of Cambodia to fight the Viet Cong, signalling a major widening of the US war effort in Vietnam. This sparked protests across the country, including at Kent State University. On May 1, two rallies were held at the Commons, a grassy open area at the center of the campus. About 500 students gathered to protest the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia, with many calling to "bring the war home." A group of history students symbolically buried a copy of the United States Constitution, implying Nixon had killed it. A sign was put on a tree, asking: "Why is the ROTC building still standing?"
That evening, students and others gathered at downtown bars. Fueled by alcohol and rage at the invasion of Cambodia, some protesters overturned a garbage can in the middle of the street, set fire to its contents, and clashed with police. The next day, May 2, National Guard troops were called to Kent to suppress students rioting in protest of the Vietnam War and the US invasion of Cambodia. The same day, a Reserve Officer Training Corp building on the university campus burned to the ground. It is unclear what or who started the fire.
On May 3, nearly 1,200 National Guardsmen occupied the Kent State campus. By May 4, the campus was still occupied by the National Guard, and demonstrations had been banned. However, an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people gathered that day, with many students unaware of the ban or choosing to ignore it. Guardsmen ordered the protesters to disperse, fired tear gas, and advanced with bayonets fixed to their rifles. Some protesters responded by throwing rocks and verbally taunting the troops. Without firing a warning shot, the Guardsmen discharged around 67 rounds toward the demonstrators, killing four and wounding nine.
The Kent State shootings, also known as the Kent State massacre or May 4 massacre, provoked the biggest student strike in US history, with more than 450 campuses across the country closing in violent and non-violent demonstrations. The incident also resulted in widespread protests against the war and the National Guard's presence on campuses.
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Student strike and nationwide protests
The Kent State shootings, also known as the Kent State massacre, took place on May 4, 1970, when four students were shot and killed by the Ohio National Guard during an anti-Vietnam War protest. The protest was sparked by President Nixon's announcement of the invasion of Cambodia, which led to widespread anger and protests across the country.
In the days leading up to the shootings, there were violent confrontations between students and police, with rioting and vandalism occurring in downtown Kent. The National Guard was called in to suppress the rioting, and by May 3, nearly 1,200 National Guardsmen occupied the Kent State campus. Despite a ban on rallies, a large protest took place on May 4, with an estimated 2,000-3,000 people gathering on the university's Commons. The National Guard troops ordered the crowd to disperse, fired tear gas, and advanced with bayonets fixed on their rifles. Some protesters threw rocks and verbally taunted the troops. The Guardsmen then fired live rounds into the crowd, killing four students and wounding nine others.
The Kent State shootings had a significant impact and led to the biggest student strike in US history. Protests and demonstrations spread to college campuses across the country, with more than 450 campuses closing due to both violent and non-violent demonstrations. The shootings became a symbol of the political and cultural divides in the US at the time, with students expressing their anger and calling for an end to the war.
The iconic photograph of a young woman screaming as she knelt over the body of a student was published across the national press and came to symbolize the tragedy and the wider political and social movements of the time. The event was also immortalized in the song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, which was released a few weeks after the shootings.
In addition to the immediate impact, the Kent State shootings had lasting repercussions. When the university resumed classes in the summer of 1970, its faculty took on new responsibilities, including providing aid and comfort to the community affected by the tragedy. The shootings also prompted questions about the actions of various parties, including the National Guard, the university administration, and local political officials. Investigations and court trials followed, but no one was ever found guilty of the murders.
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University administration's response
The Kent State University administration's response to the student protests of 1970 was multifaceted and evolved over time. Initially, the university attempted to ban gatherings and protests on campus, with university officials handing out 12,000 leaflets stating that the event was canceled. However, this effort was largely unsuccessful, as an estimated 2,000-3,000 people still gathered on the university's Commons for the protest.
In the aftermath of the shootings, the university was ordered closed by President Robert White and Portage County Prosecutor Ronald Kane, with classes resuming in the Summer of 1970. The faculty took on new responsibilities, including providing aid and comfort to the university community and conducting research about the events of May 4. The university also sponsored official commemorations of the shootings from 1971 to 1975, and a memorial was dedicated on the campus in 1990.
The university's response has been the subject of debate and reflection, with questions raised about the appropriateness of their reactions to the demonstrations and their interactions with Ohio political officials and Guard officials. The decision to ban the rallies and the role this may have played in the shootings is also a point of contention.
In 1976, the university's administration declined to continue sponsoring official commemorations of the shootings, which led to the formation of the May 4 Task Force, a group of students and community members who have organized annual commemorations on the campus ever since. The university also refused to accept a bronze sculpture commissioned to commemorate the shootings, deeming the subject matter too controversial.
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The National Guard's role
The National Guard played a significant role in the events surrounding the Kent State University protests of May 1970. The protests, which were in opposition to the expanding involvement of the Vietnam War into Cambodia and the National Guard presence on campus, resulted in a tragic outcome with the shooting of four unarmed college students and the wounding of nine others by members of the Ohio National Guard.
The decision to deploy the National Guard to Kent State University was made by Mayor Leroy Satrom, who feared that local forces would be inadequate to address potential disturbances. On May 2, 1970, National Guard troops were called to Kent to quell student riots and protests against the Vietnam War and the US invasion of Cambodia. The Guard used tear gas to disperse the crowds, and some students were bayoneted by Guardsmen.
By May 3, nearly 1,200 National Guardsmen occupied the Kent State campus. On May 4, despite a ban on rallies, approximately 2,000 people assembled on campus. National Guard troops again fired tear gas and ordered the crowd to disperse. Some protesters refused and threw rocks at the troops, while others verbally taunted them. Twenty-eight National Guard soldiers then fired around 67 rounds over 13 seconds, resulting in the tragic shooting of four students, including Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Lee Scheuer, and William Schroeder, and the wounding of nine others.
The legality of the order to disperse the crowd was debated in a subsequent wrongful death and injury trial. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that authorities had the right to disperse the assembly. However, there was widespread discussion and controversy surrounding the shootings, with a Gallup poll showing that 58% of respondents blamed the students, 11% blamed the National Guard, and 31% had no opinion.
The role of the National Guard in the Kent State University protests and shootings has been a subject of scrutiny and debate. Questions have been raised about the necessity of their presence, the adequacy of their training for such assignments, and the legality of their actions. The events at Kent State University highlighted the tensions and divisions within the nation regarding the conflict in Vietnam and further galvanised the anti-war movement.
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Frequently asked questions
Students at Kent State University organized rallies by gathering in large numbers, often at the Commons, a grassy knoll at the center of the campus. They used signs and flags to convey their messages and made speeches. The protests were largely peaceful, but some protesters threw rocks and verbally taunted the troops.
The rallies were about protesting the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia and the National Guard's presence on campus. The students were also protesting against the draft and the university's investment in weapons manufacturers and military contractors.
The rallies took place on May 1, 1970, and May 4, 1970. The May 4 rally was scheduled to be held at noon and was organized despite attempts by university officials to ban the gathering.
The outcome of the rallies was the Kent State shootings, also known as the Kent State massacre, where four students were killed and nine were wounded by the Ohio National Guard. The shootings led to protests and a student strike on college campuses across the country and became a seminal moment in modern US history.
