The United States is no stranger to protests. From the time of its founding by the early colonists to modern day, Americans have taken to the streets to stage protests for a wide range of issues. While the reasons for protests may have changed over time, the spirit of civil disobedience remains strong. Throughout the history of the United States, there have been a number of large protests, some peaceful and some not so peaceful, that have served to mark major turning points in the nation’s history. Here is a look at some of the largest and most significant protests that America has ever seen.
Boston Tea Party
One of the most infamous protests in American history was the Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773. A group of American colonists, protesting the taxes imposed by the British on tea imports, staged a protest in the Boston Harbor and threw 342 chests of tea into the harbor in the name of protest. As a result, American colonists boycotted British tea and, eventually, the American Revolution was born.
Abolition Movement
The abolition movement was an ongoing protest against the enslavement of African-Americans, which peaked in the 19th century. Led by pioneers like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass, the abolition movement gradually grew in strength and in public opinion. The movement eventually led to the abolishment of slavery in the United States through the ratification of the 13th Amendment.
Women’s Suffrage Movement
The women’s suffrage movement was a lengthy protest movement aimed at gaining equal voting rights for women. Spearheaded by activists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the movement held marches, picketed, and lobbied for the cause for decades before finally achieving their goal in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
Vietnam War Protests
The Vietnam War protests were a series of protests that took place in the United States during the 1960s and 70s in opposition to the Vietnam War. Led by students across the nation, the ongoing protests saw millions take to the streets in an effort to end the war. The protests reached a flashpoint in 1968 with the well-known protest at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Riots were a series of protests that took place in 1968 in New York City in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar. The riots, which were led by members of the LGBT community, sparked a new era of activism for LGBT rights and ultimately led to the formation of the modern gay rights movement.
Anti-Nuclear Protests
The anti-nuclear movement was a series of protests that took place during the 70s and 80s that opposed the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Led by activists such as Helen Caldicott and organized by groups like the Women’s Strike for Peace, the protests saw millions of people around the world march in opposition of nuclear weapons.
Tiananmen Square Protests
In 1989, a series of protests occurred in China’s Tiananmen Square against the communist government’s authoritarian rule. Though the protesters never achieved their goal of democratic reform, their protest against the Chinese government was one of the largest in history and served as a reminder that the struggle for democracy never ends.
Occupy Wall Street
The Occupy Wall Street protests were a series of protests that began in Zuccotti Park in New York City in 2011. Led by the group Occupy Wall Street, the protests sought to draw attention to economic inequality and corporate greed. The protests spread across the world and, while they did not achieve their stated goals, they were seen by some as an important awakening.
The protests mentioned above are just a few examples of the many large-scale protests that have taken place in the United States throughout its history. From the Boston Tea Party to the Occupy Wall Street movement, these protests have painted a vivid picture of America’s tumultuous journey, and have highlighted the importance of civil disobedience in a society with little room for corruption, inequality and injustice.
