Avenge. Ohio Kent, 1970. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2015649400/
The Kent State Shooting photograph by John Filo is an incredibly powerful and multifaceted primary source that holds unique value for classroom use, especially when teaching about the Vietnam War, protest movements, civil rights, and US history during the 1960s and 1970s. As an educator, this photograph provides a visually arresting entry point for discussing several important themes and offers opportunities for deep engagement with historical, emotional, and critical thinking elements.
The emotional intensity of the photograph—capturing the moment when a high-school student, Mary Ann Vecchio, kneels over the body of Jeffrey Miller—invites students to engage deeply with the human cost of political violence. The photograph prompts discussions about the morality of government responses to dissent, the ethics of protest, and the experiences of those directly involved in such tragedies. Students can reflect on the emotions conveyed in the image, sparking conversations about the impact of such events on both individual lives and society at large.
As a piece of photojournalism, the Kent State photograph allows students to analyze the role of the media in shaping public opinion. The way the image was disseminated globally—through newspapers, television, and later online—makes it a powerful example of how images can influence public discourse. Educators can explore how visual media, such as photography, can both document history and also serve as a form of activism, shaping collective memory and social movements.
The Kent State Shooting photograph by John Filo, taken on May 4, 1970, captures a haunting and pivotal moment during the Kent State University protests against the US invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. The image shows Mary Ann Vecchio, a 14-year-old high school student, kneeling over the body of Jeffrey Miller, one of the four students killed by National Guard troops who opened fire on unarmed protesters. This photograph became an iconic symbol of the violence of the era, the antiwar movement, and the generational clash over US involvement in Vietnam. The shooting sparked nationwide protests and amplified the growing opposition to the war, with students across the US protesting the deaths of their peers and the use of force against peaceful demonstrations.
The photograph is valuable as a primary source because it captures not only a moment of political and social unrest but also the deep emotional and human toll of political violence. It provides students with a visceral, visual entry point into understanding the broader historical context of the 1960s and 1970s, including the Vietnam War, the role of student activism, and the relationship between government authority and civil dissent. The image invites discussion about media influence, protest, and the ethics of state violence, and serves as a powerful reminder of the costs of war and the challenges of speaking out against government policies.
- The photograph Kent State Shooting by John Filo, taken on May 4, 1970, is one of the most iconic and tragic images from the Vietnam War era. It captures a moment of immense tension and violence at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, during a student protest against the United States' invasion of Cambodia, a decision announced by President Richard Nixon on April 30, 1970. The photograph depicts a student, Mary Ann Vecchio, kneeling over the body of Jeffrey Miller, a student who was killed by the Ohio National Guard during the protest.
- The United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War had already sparked widespread protests throughout the 1960s, but the expansion of the war into Cambodia—a neutral country—was a significant catalyst for renewed unrest. On April 30, 1970, President Nixon announced the US military’s operation to invade Cambodia as part of an effort to disrupt North Vietnamese supply routes and bases. This escalation inflamed an already volatile situation on college campuses, where students were protesting the US role in the war.
- On May 4, 1970, students at Kent State University organized a demonstration against the Cambodia invasion. Tensions had been escalating for days, with confrontations between students and local police. On that particular day, around 2,000 students gathered on the campus, many protesting the war, while others were protesting the presence of the National Guard on the campus. The National Guard had been called in to manage the protests, which had been escalating across the country.
- What was happening in the United States in 1970 that led to the Kent State protests?
- What can we learn about the moment of the shooting from this image? What details in the photograph stand out to you?
- How did the Kent State shootings influence the antiwar movement and public opinion about the Vietnam War?
- How did the media portray the Kent State shooting, and what role did photographs like this one play in shaping public opinion?
Ohio Learning Standards for Social Studies
Grade 8, Standard 1: Historical Thinking and Skills, History of the United States: Primary and secondary sources are used to examine events from multiple perspectives and to present and defend a position.
- The Kent State photograph provides a poignant visual representation of the broader societal divisions caused by US involvement in the Vietnam War. Students can analyze how the protests and the government’s response reflect the tension between public dissent and government authority.
Grade 8, Historical Context Standard 4: Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
- The Kent State shooting serves as an example of the broader youth and student movements of the 1960s and 1970s, including the Civil Rights movement. Students can explore the relationship between student protests and the ongoing fight for civil rights and political expression.
High School - American History, Standard 1: Civil War and Reconstruction, US History - Civil War to Present
- The Kent State shooting is a key moment of social upheaval and student activism during this period. By examining this photograph, students can understand the role of young people in challenging government policy, the anti-Vietnam War protests, and the broader context of civil rights and social justice movements.
- One effective method is historical inquiry. After presenting the photograph to students, educators can guide them in researching the broader historical context of the Kent State protests, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights movement. For this, pairing the photograph with resources such as the Vietnam War documentary from the History Channel or articles from Facing History and Ourselves on student protests can help students develop a nuanced understanding of the socio-political environment of the 1960s and 1970s. These resources can offer insight into the escalating antiwar sentiment, the youth-led activism, and the violent responses that led to incidents like Kent State. By examining different perspectives, students can analyze how public opinion shifted as a result of events like the shooting and the media's role in shaping the narrative.
- The photograph itself serves as a powerful piece of media, and students can analyze the compositional elements of the image, such as the framing, the expressions of those involved, and the use of light and shadow, which convey emotion and urgency. This activity encourages students to critically engage with not only the historical events but also the way history is communicated visually. Educators can support this by incorporating additional primary sources such as the photograph of the burning monk by Malcolm Browne, which similarly captured intense protest during the Vietnam War. Comparing these two images allows students to understand the different ways media can be used to document protests and the complex relationship between activism, government response, and media coverage.
- Students can explore the ethical implications of government power and civil rights by connecting the Kent State photo to discussions of the First Amendment, freedom of speech, and the right to protest. This discussion could be enriched by including historical documents like the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests or readings from Brian Willson’s "The Day the War Came," which poignantly explores the emotional and political impacts of the Vietnam War. By incorporating these sources, students can assess the broader theme of how protest movements shape societal values and government policies. Through these combined resources, students gain both historical and ethical perspectives, making the study of the Kent State shooting a deeply engaging and thought-provoking experience.
- This photograph, which depicts the tragic moment when a student was killed during the May 4, 1970, shooting at Kent State University, presents several issues that could lead to thoughtful discussion, but also to challenges for educators. The image of a young student kneeling over the body of a fellow protester is highly emotional and may trigger distress among students, especially if they have personal connections to violence or loss. The photograph is graphic in its portrayal of violence, which may be unsettling for some learners, particularly younger students or those who have personal experiences with trauma. To address this, educators should introduce the photograph with appropriate context and discuss its emotional and historical significance. Teachers can emphasize the importance of respecting diverse emotional reactions and allow students to process the image at their own pace. It is also helpful to provide alternative materials or allow students to opt for discussions in smaller groups if they find the content overwhelming.
Links to resources for approaching those topics
- Library of Congress – Research Guide to Vietnam War Resources. This collection includes primary sources, photographs, and documents related to the Vietnam War and the antiwar movement. It’s a great starting point for understanding the political climate that led to the Kent State protests.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – The Right to Protest. This resource discusses the legal and constitutional aspects of protest in the United States, focusing on First Amendment rights and the balance between free speech and public safety.
- Library of Congress – Vietnam War Resources
- This collection includes primary sources, photographs, and documents related to the Vietnam War and the antiwar movement. It’s a great starting point for understanding the political climate that led to the Kent State protests.
- Library of Congress. Vietnam War: A Collection of Primary Sources. Accessed December 24, 2024.
- Photographs from the 1968 Democratic National Convention Protests (Chicago, 1968)
- In 1968, protests erupted at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as part of the wider countercultural movement against the Vietnam War. Images from this event capture the violent clashes between police and demonstrators. This source provides another view of youth activism, political unrest, and government response. Much like Kent State, the Chicago protests were marked by violent repression of dissent. Comparing the two allows students to explore the escalation of youth activism and the government’s increasing use of force against protesters.
- "Young "hippie" standing in front of a row of National Guard..." Photograph. Chicago, Illinois, 1968. Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/resource/ppmsca.40810/
- The Vietnam War: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
- This comprehensive book, accompanying the PBS documentary series, provides a detailed and personal account of the Vietnam War, including the role of protests in American society. It explores how the war affected public opinion, including the Kent State tragedy, and provides essential context for understanding student movements during the era.
- Ward, Geoffrey C., and Ken Burns. The Vietnam War: An Intimate History. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017.
- Kent State: Death and Dissent in the Long 1960s by Thomas M. Grace
- This book offers an in-depth analysis of the events at Kent State, the aftermath, and the broader historical context of student protests and dissent in the 1960s and 1970s. Written by a Kent State survivor, it provides firsthand accounts and historical insights into the incident.
- Grace, Thomas M. Kent State: Death and Dissent in the Long 1960s. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2016.
- The Burning Monk photograph by Malcolm Browne (1963)
- This iconic photograph, taken by Malcolm Browne, shows Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, self-immolating in protest of the South Vietnamese government’s persecution of Buddhists. Both the Kent State shooting and the image of the Burning Monk depict intense moments of protest, though in different contexts and forms. They can be used to discuss the broader global climate of the 1960s and 1970s, where civil disobedience and protest against government policies became widespread. The photographs provide opportunities to explore the ethical dimensions of protest, media coverage, and how individuals used extreme measures to draw attention to perceived injustices.
- Browne, Malcolm. The Burning Monk, 1963. Photograph. Associated Press. https://www.ap.org.
- “The Day the War Came” poem by Brian Willson
- Brian Willson, a Vietnam War veteran, wrote a poem reflecting on his experiences and the trauma of war. His poem captures the emotional and moral conflict faced by soldiers, contrasting their lived reality with the idealized version of military service.This poem can be used to explore the internal conflicts of those who served in Vietnam and the disillusionment they faced, offering an alternative perspective to the student-led activism represented by the flyer. It invites families to reflect on the complexity of the Vietnam War experience, acknowledging both the voices of veterans and protesters. It also provides a way to discuss the personal transformation of individuals, like Ron Kovic, who transitioned from soldiers to antiwar activists.
- Willson, Brian. “The Day the War Came.” Unpublished poem.