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1968

1968. A Year of Crises. Tet Offensive (January 30). What was it ? Massive NVA offensive on major cities in South Vietnam including the capital, Saigon Reaction – Increased antiwar protests Now a slim majority think Vietnam was a mistake and that the war could not be won.

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1968

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  1. 1968 A Year of Crises

  2. Tet Offensive (January 30) • What was it? • Massive NVA offensive on major cities in South Vietnam including the capital, Saigon • Reaction – • Increased antiwar protests • Now a slim majority think Vietnam was a mistake and that the war could not be won

  3. MLK Assassination(April 4) • Anti-War Views (April 4, 1967) • Makes speech outlining his opposition to the Vietnam War • Poor People’s Campaign(1968) • King believed that poverty led to violence, wanted to end all economic injustice, proposes a new march on Washington, travels country to gain support • April 3– • “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech, seen as being prophetic about his death • April 4 – Link • King shot with a high-powered rifle on the balcony of his motel

  4. MLK Assassination(April 4) • Events • James Earl Ray– man accused & convicted of killing MLK • Reaction – • A nation mourns, huge funeral procession, riots erupt in 124 cities, 5,500 troops needed to stop the violence • RFK Speech

  5. RFK Assassination(June 5-6) • Eugene McCarthy– • Anti-war candidate in 1968, almost beat LBJ in primary, showed vulnerability of President • Decision– • Decides to run for President, campaign got boost when LBJ decides not to run (March 31) • RFK – the Candidate • Years Since JFK’s Assassination – • Reached out to different groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, poor whites) • Against the War – • Morally & politically opposed, critical of LBJ for not financing programs at home • New Hope – • Seen as the new hope to finish what brother started

  6. RFK Assassination(June 5-6) • California Primary– RFK wins key victory, makes victory speech • SirhanSirhan– • Palestinian, shot RFK as he made his way through food prep room at hotel, dies day later at hospital on June 6 • Reaction – • seen as the end of hopes for reform and change

  7. Democratic National Convention(Aug 26-29) • Hubert Humphrey – VP for LBJ, advocate of social justice & civil rights, privately opposed LBJ’s Vietnam Policy BUT publicly supported it – Why? • “Dump the Hump” – anti-war democrats harassed Humphrey • Humphrey Heckled • Party Divided – • Democratic Party was split between Humphrey & McCarthy • Richard Daley– • Democratic mayor of Chicago, did not like radicals, peace marchers, or hippies • Protected convention hall with barb wire & chain link fence

  8. Demonstrations- Link– • Police order them to leave, tear gas & clubs, move in on crowd, several violent confrontations, police beat everyone & anyone • “The Whole World Is Watching” • Much of violence was seen on TV • Demonstrators chanted this as they were beaten • Nomination – • Humphrey gets nomination, but party is in ruins & divided

  9. Election o f 1968(Nov 5) • Republicans – Richard Nixon • VP – Spiro Agnew (Gov. of MD) – attacked Humphrey • Ran on – law & order, secret plan to get out of Vietnam • Refused to Debate Humphrey – Why? • Vietnam Ad / Leadership / The One • Democrats – Hubert Humphrey • VP – Edmund Muskie (VP) from Maine • Nixon’s Accomplishments Ad / Nixon Shift Ad / Type of Man to be president • American Ind. – George Wallace • Conservative, against forced integration – Campaign Ad

  10. Election o f 1968(Nov 5) • Results • Importance - marks beginning of rise of Conservatives & Republican rule

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