---
title: "Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) — APUSH Definition"
description: "SDS was the leading New Left student group of the 1960s, famous for the Port Huron Statement and anti-Vietnam War protest. Key for APUSH Topic 8.12 and LO 8.12.A."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/apush/key-terms/students-for-a-democratic-society-sds"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP US History"
---

# Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) — APUSH Definition

## Definition

SDS was an American student organization that flourished in the mid-to-late 1960s. It's known for its activism against the Vietnam War and its role in the larger New Left movement.

## Related Study Guides

- [8.12 Youth Culture of the 1960s](/apush/unit-8/youth-culture-1960s/study-guide/RaRE6JHkpeGMR7exEexk)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [New Left](/apush/key-terms/new-left): A broad political movement mainly in the 1960s and 1970s consisting of activists in the Western world who campaigned for various social issues such as civil rights, gay rights, abortion rights etc.
- Vietnam War Protests: Political protests against U.S involvement in Vietnam War which took place internationally during 1960s-1970s.
- [Counterculture Movement](/apush/key-terms/counterculture-movement): Cultural movements that developed in opposition to mainstream culture.