U.S. History

Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman (1936-1989) was a political and social activist, especially in the 1960s. The FBI investigated Hoffman under anti-riot laws and as a domestic security threat. The files in this release range from 1968 to 1973 and cover Hoffman’s role as a leader in the Yippie Party (Youth International Party), his role in anti-war protests at the 1968 Democrat National Convention in Chicago, and his subsequent trials as one of the “Chicago Eight” conspiracists.

Digital facsimiles of FBI reports and documents about the American Friends Service Committee.

FBI reports and documents about clergy and laity concerns regarding the war.

Author Edward Paul Abbey was investigated by the FBI for sedition. While attending school in Pennsylvania, he publicly proposed destruction of draft cards. Abbey served in the U.S. military from 1945 to 1947. A Loyalty of Government Employee investigation was conducted while Abbey worked for the National Forest Service.

Jane Addams (1860-1935) was an internationally known social worker, activist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner. This release concerns a treason investigation opened in 1924 involving the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Addams was a founding member of the organization.

Mario Savio (1942-1996) was a political and human rights activist from the University of California at Berkeley who became the voice of the Free Speech Movement. He was investigated by the FBI from July 1964 until January 1975, following his arrest in March 1964 at a civil rights demonstration in San Francisco.

A 1970 U.S. government report about the Ken State Shootings and student unrest in general.

(1) Mass protest against Vietnam war in Washington DC, on mall, across Potomac river to Pentagon, MPs with bayonets emerge from Pentagon, tear gas used, next day camp fires burn on the 2nd day of sitting-in (2) new turbo-jet transport plane by Germany (partial newsreel)

The clip opens with a student rally in the main sports stadium of the university. We see a range of banners and protesters. The voice over outlines the reasons for discontent with US policy and why students dislike California governor Ronald Reagan.

1) Vietnam protest demonstration in Britain; also at Madrid University in Spain, burned American flag; also 4000 in Detroit at "love-in" and "be-in" with hippies and wild constumes (2) News In Brief - U.S. jet bombers hit North Vietnam targets (3) May Day parade in Moscow, Premier Kosygin (partial newsreel).

Elizabethtown College was founded by members of the Church of the Brethren, one of the original "peace churches" tthat spread from Europe to the United States. This collection contains pamphlets published from 1775 to the 1970s that focus on peace issues and the conscientious objector movement.

Kent State University was placed into the international spotlight on May 4, 1970, after 13 students were shot by members of the Ohio National Guard at a student demonstration. Four students were killed and nine others were wounded, including one who was permanently paralyzed from his injury. The May 4 Collection, established by the Kent State University Libraries in 1970, includes over 300 cubic feet of primary sources related to the Kent State shootings and their aftermath. The collection is open to the public and is used by researchers from around the world.

The Freedom Archives contains over 12,000 hours of audio and video recordings which date from the late-1960s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international movements. We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings. Currently has a small selection of audio and textual materials online.