Vietnam

1954-1973

Throughout the turbulent Vietnam War years, Mennonite periodicals, especially after 1965, were vigorously outspoken in their witness for peace. In 1967, a letter from what now would be called the Mennonite General Assembly, asked President Johnson to “turn back from the immoral course of the Vietnam War.”

Besides protesting the war, throughout that decade Mennonite peace witness and relief work had expanded around the world. In 1954, Mennonite programs began relief work in South Vietnam. Mennonites cooperated with other world relief organizations in Vietnam Christian Service, doing compassionate relief work in Vietnam.

(Information about nonresistance during time of war taken from War, Peace and Nonresistance, Guy F. Hershberger, Herald Press, copyright renewed 1981.)