Interview with John Sherman Cooper, June 21, 1986

Interview Summary

Cooper begins the interview by discussing his opposition to sending American troops to Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Cooper details the first Cooper-Church Amendment, which was introduced in 1970. The Nixon administration view on sending troops to Cambodia is examined. Cooper gives his stance on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Cooper reflects upon the American anti-war sentiment that grew in popularity following the deployment of American troops to Cambodia. Cooper illustrates his experiences in the Senate with the first Cooper-Church Amendment. Cooper provides an overview of the primary differences between the Vietnam War policies of President Johnson and President Nixon. Additionally, Cooper remembers what kind of mail he received on the Cooper-Church Amendments. Cooper explains why he voted against the Hatfield McGovern-Amendment. Cooper highlights the debates over the second Cooper-Church Amendment. Cooper remembers his travels to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The reactions of constituents to the My Lai Massacre are examined. Cooper also talks of the third Cooper-Church Amendment and why it did not pass. Cooper provides his opinion on Henry Kissinger. Cooper describes his position on granting amnesty to draft dodgers from the Vietnam War. The effects of President Nixon's reaction to a 1972 communist offensive is considered. Cooper details his position on prisoners of war. To conclude the interview, Cooper assesses his role in the anti-war debates in the Senate.

Interview Keyword

Cooper-Church Amendment Brooke Amendment Cambodia U.S. Constitution Senate Foreign Relations Committee Draft dodgers Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Lyndon Johnson Henry Kissinger Richard Nixon Franklin D. Roosevelt Stuart Symington William Fulbright George Aiken Mike Mansfield Wayne Morse William P. Rogers Constituents Hatfield-McGovern Amendment Senate Senators Communist offensive Debates Frank Church

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Washington (D.C.) International relations Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Vietnam Cambodia Mail Travel My Lai Massacre, Vietnam, 1968 Amnesty Prisoners of war

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.