ABSTRACT
In 1965, the Vietnam War was rapidly moving toward the center of public concern. Students were apprehensive and at some universities already protesting. In fall 1965, several graduate students and professors organized a series of university-wide lectures by experts at Penn and other universities on the history, culture economy, and politics of Vietnam and other countries in the region. In late fall of 1967 Eugene McCarthy began his campaign for the presidency. Many students, excited by McCarthy's antiwar and anti-government platform, began to campaign for him door to door. The McCarthy campaign generated hope among students on campuses across the country and boosted antiwar efforts. But for a great many of the students actively engaged, the combination of pot and protest served to narrow their understanding and their interest. After many years of protest, too much of the world became "political". Culture, history, institutions, morality—all fell for them under the cynical wheels of power.
