American Experience; Nixon; Michael Mansfield speech, 1971

06/01/1971

Mike Mansfield speech at Boston College commencement. Mansfield in academic robes and mortar board, after receiving honorary degree. _-_ 1. Cut story, "What is needed... is a redoubled effort to terminate the military involvement...My hope that the President...would seek...an immediate cease fire in Indochina on the basis of...phased United States withdrawals in return for phased releases of United States prisoners of war..."(63', sound on film) _-_ 2. "Whatever may have led us into the conflict in Southeast Asia...clear now that it hit us where it hurts most, in the nation's inner unity... In the end, the restoration of the nation's unity may come only in the common revulsion with the war." (32', sound on film) _-_ 3. "We know now what we did not know at the outset. The involvement... does not serve the interests of this nation, or the interests of the Vietnamese people. That is the bitter reality of this frustrating experience. (Camera cut, flash.) It is pointless to try to point the finger of responsibility on one president or another, on one party or the other, on the Defense Dept., the State Dept, or some other. We are all involved, and there is no evading a national responsibility... Democrats... Republicans...There are many today who are disenchanted with the conflict. There were very few at the outset...Indeed, who did not support or acquiesce in it? (Camera cut)...We went into Vietnam...on the wheels of the same policy and for many of the same reasons we had gone into Korea...with far less understanding of the actual situation in Indochina, unmindful of the change in this nation, in Asia, in the world. Vietnam was a mistake, a tragic mistake...the need is to terminate the mistake, not to prolong it." (130', sound on film) _-_ 4. Silent, cutaways, students seated, jeans, sneakers, robe. Rear shot, graduates seated outdoors. Side view, Mansfield at podium. More, students listening. (56', silent. Last shots are a bit light)

License Clip

Series: American Experience
Program: Nixon
Program Number: 302
Title: Michael Mansfield speech, 1971
Series Description: Premiered October 1988 As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation. Now in its eighteenth season, the series has produced over 180 programs and garnered every major broadcast award. Series release date: 10/1988
Program Description: In this three-hour presentation, Richard Nixon's life and political career are reassessed primarily by those who knew him best. The program chronicles his life from boyhood in Yorba Linda, California, through his days as a young Congressman to his presidency where he astounded the nation with his foreign policy initiatives and then left office in disgrace.
Duration: 00:09:26
Asset Type: Stock footage
Media Type: Video
Subjects: Cambodia; Mansfield, Mike, 1903-2001; United States--History--1945-; United States--Foreign relations--1945-1989; Indochina; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Prisoners and prisons, American; United States. Congress. Senate; Military policy; Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994; Prisoners of war; Boston College; United States. Congress; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; United States--History, Military--20th century; Escalation (Military science); Vietnam (Republic); Vietnam (Democratic Republic); Boston (Mass.); Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (1973); Laos; Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ); Paris (France); United States--Foreign relations--Asia; Boston College; Legislators--United States; Democratic Party (U.S.)
Locations: Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts
Genres: Documentary
Topics: History
Contributors: Mansfield, Mike, 1903-2001 (Speaker)
Publication Information: ABC News VideoSource
Rights Summary: Footage courtesy of ABC News Rights Holder: ABC News VideoSource (http://abcnews.go.com)
Citation: Chicago: “American Experience; Nixon; Michael Mansfield speech, 1971,” 06/01/1971, GBH Archives, accessed November 21, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9BF580BBCB4D4A5C8CB7CCCF0E8C27F4.; MLA: “American Experience; Nixon; Michael Mansfield speech, 1971.” 06/01/1971. GBH Archives. Web. November 21, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9BF580BBCB4D4A5C8CB7CCCF0E8C27F4>.; APA: American Experience; Nixon; Michael Mansfield speech, 1971. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9BF580BBCB4D4A5C8CB7CCCF0E8C27F4

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American Experience; Nixon; Michael Mansfield speech, 1971