Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Science Action Coordinating Committee Papers, 1968-1969

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0473
Creators:
Union of Concerned Scientists
Organization for Progressive Engineers
New University Conference
Scientists for Social and Political Action
Science Action Coordinating Committee
Chodos, Alan, Dr.
Haseltine, Florence P., Dr.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dates:
1968 - 1969
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1 Cubic foot
2 boxes, 1 oversize folder
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection covers the period 1968-1969, the blossoming of the anti-Vietnam War protest movement. The papers primarily concern the March 4, 1969 voluntary research stoppage at MIT. This day was set aside to discuss and criticize the cooperation of MIT researchers with the US Department of Defense and included speakers George McGovern and Noam Chomsky as well as many others. The materials include photographs, posters, programs, and coordinating notes concerning this day of non-violent protest. The papers also cover other days of protests, Agenda Days, May 6-8, 1969 and a demonstration held on June 16, 1969, as well as a letter sent to Russian scientists in April 1969. The collection also includes items from other Vietnam War era protest groups: the Union of Concerned Scientists, New University Conference, Scientists for Social and Political Action and the Organization for Progressive Engineers.
The collection is particularly valuable in the picture it presents of the anti-Vietnam War protest movement of the late 1960s and how it grew to include other societal concerns. It is also valuable in the view it presents from inside the movement.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into one series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The Science Action Coordinating Committee (SACC) was a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) based graduate student organization active in the Vietnam War protest movement of the late 1960s. Its activities grew to include protests against a variety of social and political targets. Members described themselves as, "a group of graduate students at MIT concerned with social responsibility of scientists."

Administration

Author
Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the National Museum of American History, Archives Center by Dr. Alan Chodos and Dr. Florence P. Haseltine in 1992.
Processing Information
Processed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., volunteer, September 1993; supervised by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, archivist.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
The Science Action Coordinating Committee Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Posters Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 1960-1970 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Programs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Peace movements -- 1960-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest Movements Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Universities and colleges Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu