Student activism that began in the 1960s reached its peak of impact in the 1970s. The nation’s involvement in the conflict in Vietnam and the resulting domestic outcry created a crisis on and off campus—protests against the escalation of US involvement in Vietnam, the draft, and the loss of life overseas fueled a student movement. This led to tragedy; the death of students at the hands of the National Guard and local police at Kent State University and Jackson State College. Student protesters were criticized by national leaders as they were called anti-American and bums. When students died exercising their First Amendment rights, a national crisis was created by local, state, and national leaders, and the students who died represented those to blame.