University of Denver Spring 2026

Revolt In the spring of 1970, opposition to the Vietnam War reached a fever pitch, especially on college campuses. On April 30, President Nixon announced air strikes to destroy the Cambodian bases from which the communists were operating against South Vietnam. Within two days, a National Strike Committee had been organized, and another two days later, 11 eastern universities published an open editorial calling for a nationwide student strike. In an era before digital communication, the sheer pace of these efforts reflected the astonishing grassroots coordination that is captured on this map. Most likely produced by activists at Stanford University, it locates more than 100 campuses where students had pledged to boycott classes on May 6. The sheer volume of the protests convinced many across the country that the war was unwinnable. Map of the National student strike, April 3 Movement (1970). Courtesy of Cornell University—PJ Mode Collection of Persuasive Maps. 43 x 56 cm.

33

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2026