40 Facts About The Weathermen

Who Were The Weathermen?

The Weathermen, also known as the Weather Underground Organization (WUO), were a radical left-wing group active in the late 1960s and 1970s. They aimed to overthrow the U.S. government and end the Vietnam War through direct action and militant tactics.

1. The Weathermen emerged from the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a prominent student activist group in the 1960s.
2. Their name was inspired by a line from Bob Dylan's song "Subterranean Homesick Blues": "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."
3. The group officially formed in 1969 after the SDS National Convention in Chicago.
4. They believed in the necessity of violent revolution to achieve their political goals.
5. The Weathermen were heavily influenced by Marxist and anti-imperialist ideologies.
6. They were involved in several high-profile bombings, including the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and police stations.
7. The group operated underground, with members using fake identities and safe houses to avoid capture.
8. The Weathermen's first public action was the "Days of Rage" in Chicago in October 1969, which resulted in numerous arrests and injuries.
9. They published a manifesto titled "Prairie Fire: The Politics of Revolutionary Anti-Imperialism" in 1974, outlining their beliefs and strategies.
10. The FBI considered the Weathermen one of the most dangerous domestic terrorist groups in the U.S. during their active years.

Key Events and Actions

The Weathermen were known for their dramatic and often violent actions, which they believed were necessary to bring about social change.

11. In March 1970, a bomb intended for a U.S. Army base accidentally exploded in a Greenwich Village townhouse, killing three members.
12. Following the townhouse explosion, the group went fully underground, adopting the name Weather Underground Organization.
13. They claimed responsibility for the bombing of the U.S. Capitol in March 1971, protesting the U.S. invasion of Laos.
14. In May 1972, they bombed the Pentagon in retaliation for the U.S. bombing of Hanoi.
15. The Weathermen also targeted corporate offices, including the New York City headquarters of IBM.
16. They coordinated with other radical groups, such as the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords.
17. The group issued communiqués to explain their actions and political motivations.
18. They were involved in the jailbreak of Timothy Leary, a counterculture icon, in 1970.
19. The Weathermen's bombings were designed to avoid human casualties, often preceded by warnings to evacuate.
20. Despite their efforts to avoid casualties, some of their actions resulted in injuries and deaths.

Decline and Legacy

By the mid-1970s, the Weathermen's influence began to wane, but their impact on American politics and culture remains significant.

21. Internal disagreements and external pressures led to the group's decline.
22. Many members turned themselves in or were captured by law enforcement in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
23. Some former members, like Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, became respected academics and activists.
24. The Weathermen's actions sparked debates about the ethics and effectiveness of violent protest.
25. Their story has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films.
26. The group's activities led to increased FBI surveillance and the expansion of counterterrorism efforts.
27. The Weathermen's tactics influenced later radical groups, both in the U.S. and abroad.
28. They are often cited in discussions about domestic terrorism and political extremism.
29. The Weather Underground's legacy is complex, with some viewing them as freedom fighters and others as terrorists.
30. Their actions continue to be studied as part of the broader history of the 1960s and 1970s social movements.

Notable Members

The Weathermen included several prominent figures who played key roles in the group's activities and later became well-known in other fields.

31. Bill Ayers, a co-founder, later became a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
32. Bernardine Dohrn, another co-founder, became a law professor and children's rights advocate.
33. Mark Rudd, a leader during the "Days of Rage," later became a community college instructor and author.
34. Kathy Boudin, involved in the Brink's robbery, served time in prison and later worked as an adjunct professor at Columbia University.
35. David Gilbert, also involved in the Brink's robbery, remains incarcerated.
36. Jeff Jones, a key strategist, became an environmental consultant.
37. Naomi Jaffe, involved in several bombings, later worked in social services.
38. Ted Gold, one of the members killed in the townhouse explosion, was a prominent activist in the SDS.
39. Diana Oughton, also killed in the townhouse explosion, was deeply committed to the group's cause.
40. John Jacobs, known as "JJ," was a charismatic leader who helped shape the group's militant philosophy.

Final Thoughts on The Weathermen

The Weathermen, also known as the Weather Underground, left a significant mark on American history. Their radical actions and controversial methods aimed to protest the Vietnam War and fight for social justice. Despite their intentions, their violent tactics often overshadowed their message. Understanding their motivations and the context of the 1960s and 1970s helps us grasp why they chose such extreme measures.

Their story serves as a reminder of the complexities of social movements and the lengths some will go to for their beliefs. While their legacy is mixed, the Weathermen's impact on activism and political discourse can't be ignored. Reflecting on their actions and the era they operated in provides valuable insights into the challenges and consequences of radical activism.