Resistance and Revolution: The Anti-Vietnam War Movement at the University of Michigan, 1965-1972

William Gamson (U of M Professor of Sociology)

Bill Gamson was a sociology professor at the University of Michigan from 1962 until 1982. He was a leader and organizer of the 1965 anti-Vietnam War teach-in at U of M. Professor Gamson continued to participate in anti-war sentiment and protest throughout the 60s and early 70s. He even lead a fast by university professors against University involvement in military research. His wife, Zelda Gamson, was also an active participant and was specifically involved in the 1971 March on Washington. Currently, Professor Gamson is a sociology professor at Boston College where he still continues to study social movements.

Interview of Bill Gamson by Maria Buczkowski on March 27th, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Part 1: Professor Gamson discusses when he taught at the University of Michigan, what he taught, when he first became involved in anti-war activism, and how national politics led to the March 1965 Teach-in.

Part 2: Professor Gamson discusses what led to his role of being a leader of the Teach-in, why a Teach-in was important at the time, and how much the organizers assumed their audience knew about the war in Vietnam.

Part 3: Professor Gamson discusses the 2015 Teach-in on climate change at the University of Michigan, the current fight against climate change, and the Divest from Fossil Fuels campaign.

Part 4: Professor Gamson discusses the voice of the supporters of the Vietnam War at the March 1965 Teach-in, other forms of protest he was involved in, and military research being conducted by the University of Michigan.

Part 5: Professor Gamson discusses sexism in the anti-Vietnam War movement and the change in administrative response to activism on campus.

Part 6: Professor Gamson discusses the change in governmental response to activism and the leagcy of the Teach-in and anti-Vietnam War movement.

William Gamson (U of M Professor of Sociology)