American citizens during the Vietnam War generally equally disapproved and approved of it; many protested their dissent and went out of their way to obtain reprieves to avoid conscription, while many others expressed pro-war statements (Angrist 584-95). Deferments were a way to delay your chances of conscription, which is being drafted into the army (Angrist 584-95). Although some were indeed anti-war, there were about an equal number, if not more, who expressed pro-war views, but as the war progressed this changed (Gettleman). These diversified opinions were the direct cause of the continuation of the war (Tomes). Peaceful protesters and radicals came into the spotlight as the war progressed, as more and more people expressed disapproving and anti-war statements toward the war (DeBenedetti 321-86). The Vietnam War led to what is currently the largest anti-war movement in the country. American History (Skarda 4; Dunn). With more than 500,000 participants, the demonstrators in the fall of 1969 all marched on Washington to show their opposition to the war (Skarda 4; Herbers). The protests became so large that the FBI got involved (Miller). The FBI went so far as to forge a letter to the newspaper as a "parent" complaining of "immoral character" (Miller). This prompted many prestigious and well-known figures to step up and voice their anti-war statements and opinions, such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Beyond Vietnam: It's Time to Break the Silence" speech. . In this speech, it is clear that Martin Luther King Jr. did not support the war, as he called it immoral and said it only led to the growth of hatred (King Jr) . Protests and dissent raged, eventually leading to notable numbers of people. radical protesters (Skarda... middle of paper ... the media's money laundering attitude towards the Vietnam War. He thinks the media has to do with the negative view of the war . Graphic images with no penalty for showing them along with raw videos of crying soldiers and more The war was a shocking time. Tomes, Robert R. Apocalypse Then: American Intellectuals and the Vietnam War, 1954-1975 New York: NYU Press, 1990. Print. Tomes explains that many people considered "intellectuals" disagreed with the war. Many Americans, intelligent or not, were against the war and organized peaceful protests. explored the reasons why radical groups and organizations formed and reached consensus the result turned out to be essentially "because they are against the war" (go figure!) and radical behavior. spread quickly from the start and sparked numerous violent protests and sarcastic remarks towards those responsible..