The Weather Underground was a faction of the larger Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organization, which emerged in the 1960s as a leading force in the American New Left movement. This faction, composed of radical activists, believed in the necessity of armed struggle to achieve their goals, which included ending the Vietnam War, combating racial inequality, and overthrowing what they perceived as an oppressive capitalist system.
Origins and Ideology:
The Weather Underground’s origins can be traced back to the radicalization of a faction within the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) during the late 1960s. The SDS was initially a moderate student activist organization, focusing on issues such as civil rights, free speech, and opposition to the Vietnam War. However, as the 1960s progressed, it underwent a significant transformation, and the Weathermen faction emerged as a more militant and radical wing of communism.
Emergence of the Weathermen:
The turning point for the Weathermen occurred at the SDS National Convention in Chicago in 1969. This convention was marked by intense debates between different factions within the SDS, with the Weathermen pushing for a more confrontational and revolutionary stance. When their proposal for a “Declaration of a State of War” against the U.S. government was rejected, they decided to break away and form their own organization, the Weather Underground. This name was derived from a line in a Bob Dylan song, “Subterranean Homesick Blues.”
Revolutionary Ideology:
The Weather Underground’s ideology was deeply influenced by a combination of Marxism-Leninism, anti-imperialism, and radical activism. Key elements of their ideology included:
- Anti-Imperialism: The Weathermen were vehemently opposed to American imperialism, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War. They saw the war as a symbol of U.S. aggression and believed that it needed to be actively opposed through direct action.
- Armed Struggle: A fundamental tenet of the Weather Underground’s ideology was the belief in the necessity of armed struggle to achieve their revolutionary goals. They saw themselves as urban guerrillas who would wage a war against the U.S. government and capitalism. This ideology was influenced by the writings of revolutionary figures such as Che Guevara and Carlos Marighella.
- Opposition to Capitalism: The Weather Underground viewed capitalism as an inherently oppressive system that needed to be overthrown. They believed that by creating chaos and destabilizing the existing order through bombings and acts of sabotage, they could pave the way for a more just and equitable society.
Race and Class Struggle:
Race and class were central components of the Weather Underground’s ideology. They believed that the struggle against racism and economic inequality was inextricably linked to their broader revolutionary goals. The Weathermen argued that racial and class divisions were tools of the capitalist system, and they sought to unite oppressed groups in a common revolutionary front.
Underground Existence:
To evade capture by law enforcement, the Weather Underground went underground, adopting a clandestine lifestyle. Members used false identities, lived in safe houses, and communicated through coded messages. This underground existence further reinforced their revolutionary self-image and commitment to their cause.
The Weather Underground emerged as a radical faction within the SDS, driven by a revolutionary ideology that combined anti-imperialism, armed struggle, opposition to capitalism, communism and a commitment to addressing issues of race, class, and gender. Their break from the SDS marked a pivotal moment in the history of American radical activism, leading to a period of violent and controversial actions in pursuit of their vision for a more just and equitable society.
Actions and Activities: A Detailed Exploration
The Weather Underground carried out a series of actions and activities during their years of radical activism. Their tactics were aimed at destabilizing the American government and bringing attention to their revolutionary cause. The group’s activities can be divided into several key events and campaigns:
- The Greenwich Village Townhouse Explosion (1970): One of the most tragic incidents associated with the Weather Underground was the accidental explosion at their Greenwich Village townhouse in New York City on March 6, 1970. The townhouse served as a clandestine bomb-making factory for the group. The explosion occurred while members were constructing a bomb intended for an attack on a non-commissioned officer’s dance at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Three Weather Underground members—Diana Oughton, Terry Robbins, and Ted Gold—were killed in the blast. The explosion raised alarm within the group and significantly impacted their operations.
- The Days of Rage (October 1969): In October 1969, the Weather Underground organized the “Days of Rage” in Chicago. This event was intended to be a massive protest against the war in Vietnam and the injustices of the American system. The group had hoped to incite widespread violence and revolt among the masses. However, the event was a major failure, as only a few hundred protesters showed up, and the Chicago police successfully contained the situation, leading to numerous arrests and injuries among protesters.
- Bombings of Government Buildings: The Weather Underground was responsible for a series of bombings targeting government buildings and symbols of authority. Perhaps their most infamous act was the bombing of the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on March 1, 1971. The explosion caused extensive damage but, fortunately, no casualties. Other notable bombings included the Pentagon (May 19, 1972) and the New York City Police Department headquarters (June 9, 1970). These actions were intended to symbolize the group’s opposition to the government’s policies and its military involvement in Vietnam.
- Jailbreak and “Operation Jailbreak” (1970): In a bold and daring move, members of the Weather Underground executed a jailbreak in 1970 to free Timothy Leary, a prominent counterculture figure who had been imprisoned for drug-related offenses. The operation involved penetrating the California Men’s Colony prison and smuggling Leary out. Although Leary was eventually recaptured, the jailbreak brought further attention to the group’s audacity and their willingness to engage in high-risk actions.
- Brinks Robbery (1981): While the core activities of the Weather Underground largely ceased in the mid-1970s, some of its former members continued to engage in criminal activities. In 1981, former Weather Underground members were involved in the infamous Brinks Robbery in Nyack, New York. During the robbery, two police officers and a security guard were killed. This event underscored the group’s legacy of violence and criminality.
- Underground Life: Following the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion and the increased scrutiny by law enforcement, many Weather Underground members went underground, adopting fake identities and evading capture. They lived a life of secrecy and constant movement, relying on safe houses provided by sympathizers. The group’s underground existence lasted for several years, and some members remained fugitives for decades.
The Weather Underground’s actions and activities were characterized by bombings, protests, jailbreaks, and underground life. Their tactics, often violent and radical, aimed to provoke a revolution and challenge the perceived injustices of American society.
Government Response to the Weather Underground
The emergence of the Weather Underground as a radical and militant faction within the larger Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organization did not go unnoticed by the U.S. government. As the group began carrying out a series of bombings and acts of vandalism, the federal government, along with local law enforcement agencies, initiated extensive investigations and a vigorous crackdown on the organization.
FBI Involvement:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) played a pivotal role in responding to the Weather Underground’s activities. J. Edgar Hoover, then the Director of the FBI, considered the Weather Underground to be a domestic terrorist organization. He directed the FBI to prioritize efforts to identify, apprehend, and prosecute its members.
The FBI established a dedicated task force to investigate the Weather Underground. This task force worked closely with other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. The investigative efforts were extensive and included surveillance, wiretaps, informants, and intelligence sharing among various agencies.
Surveillance and Infiltration:
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies used surveillance techniques to monitor the activities of the Weather Underground. They collected intelligence on the group’s members, their movements, and their plans. This included monitoring their communications and tracking their associates.
In addition to surveillance, the government employed informants and undercover agents to infiltrate the Weather Underground. These individuals joined the organization, gaining the trust of its members while providing valuable information to law enforcement agencies. Notable informants like Larry Grathwohl and William Davidon played significant roles in penetrating the group and providing inside information.
Legal Prosecutions:
One of the most significant government responses was the legal prosecution of Weather Underground members. As the government gathered evidence against the group, they began to bring charges against those involved in its activities.
A prominent case was the trial of the “Chicago Seven,” which included several Weather Underground members, such as Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers. They were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Although the trial resulted in some convictions, most were eventually overturned on appeal, and the charges against the Weather Underground members were dropped.
Underground Activities and Evasiveness:
The Weather Underground’s members went underground, hence their name, to evade capture by authorities. They adopted aliases, changed their appearances, and lived clandestine lives. This made it challenging for law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend them.
While underground, some members continued to engage in criminal activities, including bombings and bank robberies. This further escalated the government’s response, leading to a nationwide manhunt.
Capture and Imprisonment:
Over time, various Weather Underground members were captured or voluntarily turned themselves in. Key arrests included Bernadine Dohrn and Bill Ayers, who surrendered in 1980. They faced charges related to their involvement in the Weather Underground but ultimately received probation due to legal technicalities and the government’s inability to secure convictions on more serious charges.
Other Weather Underground members, such as Kathy Boudin and Judith Clark, were involved in the 1981 Brink’s armored car robbery in New York, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a security guard. They were subsequently arrested, tried, and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
The government’s response to the Weather Underground involved extensive surveillance, infiltration, legal prosecutions, and a nationwide manhunt. While the group’s members were able to evade capture for a time, many were eventually apprehended, tried, and imprisoned for their activities. The government’s efforts, combined with the group’s internal divisions and declining support, contributed to the eventual decline of the Weather Underground as an active organization.
Legacy and Impact
The legacy and impact of the Weather Underground, also known as the Weathermen, extend far beyond their brief period of active operations in the late 1960s and early 1970s. While their violent and radical methods were widely criticized at the time, the group’s actions have had lasting effects on American politics, activism, and the broader society.
- Shifting Public Perception of Activism: The Weather Underground’s militant tactics and bombings had a polarizing effect on public perception of activism during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Many Americans, including those sympathetic to anti-war and civil rights causes, were deeply uncomfortable with the group’s use of violence. This discomfort led to a heightened emphasis on nonviolent protest and civil disobedience as the preferred methods for effecting social and political change. The Weather Underground served as a cautionary example of the potential consequences of radicalization within social movements.
- Government Response and Legal Frameworks: The U.S. government’s response to the Weather Underground contributed to the development of counter-terrorism and domestic surveillance policies. The group’s actions prompted the FBI to intensify its efforts in monitoring and infiltrating radical organizations. This era marked the expansion of COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program) aimed at undermining and discrediting various activist groups. The legal framework for prosecuting domestic terrorism also evolved partly in response to the Weather Underground’s activities, and it continues to shape how the government deals with extremist organizations today.
- Impact on the Anti-War Movement: While the Weather Underground remained on the fringes of the anti-war movement, their actions brought heightened scrutiny and negative publicity to the broader cause of ending the Vietnam War. Mainstream anti-war activists often had to distance themselves from the Weather Underground’s violent methods and rhetoric to maintain credibility and public support. Consequently, the movement increasingly emphasized nonviolent strategies such as mass protests, draft resistance, and legal challenges to the war.
- Influence on Subsequent Activist Movements: The Weather Underground’s tactics and radical ideology have continued to influence subsequent activist movements, albeit in a more indirect manner. Contemporary movements, such as anti-globalization protests, anti-fascist (Antifa) activism, and some factions within the Black Lives Matter movement, have been criticized for adopting confrontational methods reminiscent of the Weather Underground’s approach. These movements often face similar debates regarding the ethics and effectiveness of violence in the pursuit of social and political change.
- Preservation of Radical History: The Weather Underground’s story has been documented in books, films, and academic studies, serving as a case study in the history of radical activism in the United States. Their actions and motivations have been analyzed to understand the complexities and challenges of dissent within democratic societies. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in revisiting the history of the Weather Underground, with some activists viewing them as symbols of resistance against an unjust system, while others see them as cautionary tales of extremism.
- Broader Questions about Dissent and Democracy: The Weather Underground’s legacy raises questions about the limits of dissent in a democratic society. It forces us to grapple with ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of violence as a means of achieving political goals and the fine line between revolutionary zeal and extremism. The group’s history serves as a touchstone for discussions about the role of activism, radicalism, and civil disobedience in a democracy.
The Weather Underground’s impact extends beyond their specific actions and period of operation. Their legacy has left a lasting imprint on the tactics and strategies employed by subsequent activist movements, as well as on the broader discourse surrounding dissent, violence, and democracy in the United States.
Several former members of the Weather Underground transitioned into academic careers or leadership roles within universities after the group’s decline. Their experiences within the Weather Underground and subsequent activities in academia have sparked discussions about the intersections of activism, radicalism, and education. Here are a few notable examples:
- Bill Ayers: Perhaps one of the most well-known former Weather Underground members in academia, Bill Ayers became a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He specialized in education reform, social justice, and urban education. Ayers’ involvement with the Weather Underground has been a source of controversy, with his critics accusing him of promoting radical ideologies within the field of education and helped Barack Hussein Obama write his book.
- Bernardine Dohrn: Bernardine Dohrn, a prominent figure in the Weather Underground, also pursued an academic career. She became a clinical associate professor at the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University School of Law. Dohrn worked on issues related to juvenile justice and children’s rights, drawing on her background in activism to advocate for legal reform.
- Mark Rudd: While not a member of the Weather Underground per se, Mark Rudd was a leader within the SDS and played a role in the organization’s radicalization. After his involvement in the movement, he pursued a career in education. Rudd became a mathematics instructor and later a professor at Central New Mexico Community College. He has spoken openly about his experiences in the anti-war movement and the Weather Underground.
- Kathy Boudin: Kathy Boudin, a former Weather Underground member, served time in prison for her involvement in an armed robbery that resulted in deaths. After her release, she worked on issues related to criminal justice and reentry. Boudin became an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University’s School of Social Work, where she focused on topics such as incarceration, reentry programs, and public health.
- David Gilbert: David Gilbert, another former member of the Weather Underground who was imprisoned for his involvement in a robbery and murder, became an advocate for prisoners’ rights and criminal justice reform. He continued his activism from behind bars and wrote extensively on issues related to incarceration.
For More Information
Books:
- Days of Rage: America’s Radical Underground, the FBI, and the Forgotten Age of Revolutionary Violence by Bryan Burrough
- This book provides a comprehensive account of the Weather Underground and other radical groups of the era, offering insights into their motivations and actions.
- Outlaws of America: The Weather Underground and the Politics of Solidarity by Dan Berger
- A scholarly examination of the Weather Underground’s ideology and the broader political context in which they operated.
- The Weathermen by Harold Jacobs
- Written by a former member of the Weather Underground, this book offers an insider’s perspective on the organization’s activities and transformation.
Films and Documentaries:
- The Weather Underground (2002)
- This documentary film by Sam Green and Bill Siegel provides a detailed history of the Weather Underground, featuring interviews with former members and archival footage.
- The Company You Keep (2012)
- A fictionalized thriller film directed by Robert Redford that explores the legacy of the Weather Underground and its impact on the lives of former members.
Academic Journals:
- “The Weather Underground and the Logic of Subversion” by Jeremy Varon
- An academic article that delves into the ideological underpinnings of the Weather Underground and its place within the broader landscape of radical activism in the 1960s and 1970s.
Websites:
- The Weather Underground Archive
- A digital archive hosted by Cornell University, featuring primary source documents related to the Weather Underground’s history.
- com – The Weather Underground
- A comprehensive overview of the Weather Underground’s history and impact, provided by the History Channel.
- The New York Times – Weather Underground Topic
- A collection of articles and resources related to the Weather Underground, including news stories and op-eds.