How did the anti-war movement influence U.S. foreign policy decisions during the escalation of the Vietnam War, particularly in relation to Operation Rolling Thunder?

The anti‑war movement grew rapidly in the late 1950s and early 1960s, gathering thousands of students, clergy, and ordinary citizens who protested the increasing U. S. involvement in Vietnam. Their protests, televised marches, and widespread media coverage put pressure on the Kennedy and Johnson administrations to justify military actions, forcing leaders to publicly explain their strategies and seek congressional approval. When Operation Rolling Thunder began, the anti‑war protests highlighted the campaign’s civilian casualties and questioned its effectiveness, leading Congress to impose stricter limits on bombing and to demand clearer evidence of success.