Grosvenor Square

Intro Photos



 


 


 


 

Description of Site

Located in the Mayfair district of London, Grosvenor Square is a large, square garden. This location received its name due its proximity to the Grosvenor's Mayfair estate.[1] Plans for development of the Grosvenor Square began in 1720 but remained unbuilt until 1725 when development of Grosvenor Square began.[2] It was amongst the largest of parks created in the West End of London and represented characteristics of standardized uniformity as well as a notion of high social status. Areas in Grosvenor Square have been destroyed and rebuilt over the years and the status of the location changed drastically in 1948 as the square became a public place.[3] Additionally, foreign embassies such as the American embassy became established in the Square and the location became occupied by "American civil and military services."[4] American involvement at this location provided a cause for the anti-Vietnam war protests in Grosvenor Square 1968. Since 1785, Grosvenor Square served as the link between the UK and America and once hosted a statue of King George VI. Further chief figures are represented in Grosvenor Square such as a statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.[5] American involvement at this location made it a prime target for the counter-culture and anti-war movement in the 1960's.[6]


[1] "Grosvenor Square: Introduction," in Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings) Pg. 112

[2] Ibid.,

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] Holmes, Alison R., and J. Rofe. The Embassy in Grosvenor Square: American Ambassadors to the United Kingdom, 1938-2008. Springer, 2016. Pg. 4

[6] Thomas, Nick. "Protests against the Vietnam War in 1960s Britain: the relationship between protesters and the press." Contemporary British History 22, no. 3 (2008): Pg. 336

Bibliography

"Grosvenor Square: Introduction," in Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings), ed. F H W Sheppard (London: London County Council, 1980), 112-117. British History Online

Holmes, Alison R., and J. Rofe. The Embassy in Grosvenor Square: American Ambassadors to the United Kingdom, 1938-2008. Springer, 2016.

Thomas, Nick. "Protests against the Vietnam War in 1960s Britain: the relationship between protesters and the press." Contemporary British History 22, no. 3 (2008): 335-354.

Analysis of Site

Notably, the Grosvenor Square became a prime target for activists and dissatisfied youth to protest. Of particular interest is the 1968 Anti-Vietnam demonstration. Protestors situated themselves outside of the American Embassy to protest American involvement in the war. On Sunday March 17, 10,000 individuals gathered in Grosvenor Square following a meeting in Trafalgar Square.[1] The protest maintained a strong police presence 800 strong to dissuade the protesters.[2] The actress Vanessa Redgrave highlighted the event and the demonstration began peacefully.[3] However, tension rose, resulting in violence and arrests. An estimated 200 people were arrested while 86 were treated for injuries, included in this was 25 police officers.[4] This historical controversy showcased the feeling of anti-war sentiment and general frustration prevalent in the counterculture and underground realm of London. Witnesses of the spectacle, such as John Calvert who explained that "we saw the crowd break through the cordon on the other side and come across the square; they were uprooting the fences, ripping up the turf and picking up anything throwable."[5] Police response to protesters was criticized, specifically, the use of mounted police officers charging horses into the growing crowd.[6] Anti-war and anti-nuclear sentiment permeated London counterculture and the growing death rate of the Vietnam war spurred protesters. Grosvenor Square's status as the American hub in London made it a crucial location for individuals with a need to express dissatisfaction with American involvement in the Vietnam war.


[1] "The Battle for Grosvenor Square." The Police Journal 41, no. 5 (May 1968): 196

[2] Ibid.,

[3] "My part in the anti-war demo that changed protest for ever; Fifty years ago this week, Donald Macintyre was one of 246 anti-Vietnam protesters arrested in London's Grosvenor Square..."

[4] "On This Day – 17 March – 1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 2008.

[5] "The Battle for Grosvenor Square." The Police Journal 41, no. 5 (May 1968): 197

[6] On This Day – 17 March – 1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 2008.

Bibliography

"The Battle for Grosvenor Square." The Police Journal 41, no. 5 (May 1968): 196–98.

"On This Day – 17 March – 1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 2008.

"My part in the anti-war demo that changed protest for ever; Fifty years ago this week, Donald Macintyre was one of 246 anti-Vietnam protesters arrested in London's Grosvenor Square..." Observer [London, England], March 11, 2018.


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