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1968: A Year of Crises

1968: A Year of Crises. Section 20.2. Vietnamese soldier shoots civilian at point-blank range. Tet. Capture from clip on the Tet Offensive. Describe the Tet Offensive and its effect on the US military. Massive military offensive of NVA in 1968 (New Years Day or Tet)

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1968: A Year of Crises

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  1. 1968: A Year of Crises Section 20.2 Vietnamese soldier shoots civilian at point-blank range

  2. Tet Capture from clip on the Tet Offensive

  3. Describe the Tet Offensive and its effect on the US military. • Massive military offensive of NVA in 1968 (New Years Day or Tet) • General Westmoreland had claimed US winning • US ultimately won • 33-40 thousand Vietcong killed • Turning point of the war • Nowhere was safe • LBJ’s credibility in doubt Above: map shows invasion route of NVA; below: GI’s try to stand their ground

  4. Capture from clip on political consequences of Tet

  5. Why is Tet considered a ‘turning point’ in the war? Anti-war demonstration on the mall in DC

  6. Why is Tet considered a ‘turning point’ in the war? • Contradicted rosy picture portrayed by Westmoreland • Media began to challenge LBJ’s account of the war • “What the hell is going on?” Walter Cronkite • Brutality of war on nightly news • LBJ approval rating collapsed • On war- 48% to 26% • “Hey, hey, LBJ. How many kids did you kill today?” Above: reprise of point-blank assassination of civilian; below: anti-war demonstrators

  7. Anti-War Protesters Capture from clip about the protests

  8. This is LBJ following the Tet Offensive in 1968. LBJ slumped at desk in White House, head in hand • Write a newspaper headline for this picture of LBJ after the Tet Offensive. • In subtitle, make a prediction about his political future. “Loss of heart and mind” -Johnson tells stunned nation he will not run for re-election

  9. Why did LBJ decide not to run for president in 1968? • Beaten by Eugene McCarthy in New Hampshire primary election • Anti war platform • “Be clean for Gene” • NY senator Robert F. Kennedy entered presidential race • Supported by antiwar, poor, working class, minorities • LBJ told that additional troops would not help win war • “I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination of my party as your president.”

  10. Why is 1968 considered such a tragic year? • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. • Came out against the war (against LBJ) • Spoke against America’s flaws (racism, poverty, militarism, materialism) • Assassinated 4/4/68 in Memphis • RFK • Came out against the war • Promised to address racism, poverty, and end war) • Won California primary (frontrunner) • Assassinated in June of ’68 by Sirhan Sirhan

  11. Capture from clip on RFK assassination

  12. Democratic Convention Violence Demonstrators in Chicago being roughed up by police

  13. Describe the Democratic Convention of 1968 in Chicago: • Hubert Humphrey seemed likely to beat Eugene McCarthy for nomination • publicly supported LBJ’s Vietnam policies • 10 thousand protesters gathered to pressure Democrats to adopt anti-war policy • Mayor Richard Daley • Directed 17 thousand police and national guard to put down any disruptions • Riots broadcast on TV • “The Whole World is watching!” • Democrats associated with violence and disorder Above: Humphrey and Johnson meet; below: more demonstrations

  14. Capture from clip on the chaos in Chicago (Democrats’ convention)

  15. Describe the Republican campaign: • Nominated Richard Nixon • Convention not marred by disorder • Promised: • law and order • An end to wasteful spending (Great Society) • To end war • “peace with honor” Above: Nixon and Agnew on Time cover; below: Nixon’s trademark salute

  16. Who was the third party candidate? • George Wallace: American Independent Party • Alabama governor (Democrat) • “segregation now,…tomorrow,…forever.” • Campaigned: • Anti-Establishment • Anti-Counterculture • Pro-union, blue collar worker • Pro-War in Vietnam • Said if anti-war demonstrator laid down in front of his car, it would be the last car he…. • Lost popularity when he chose Curtis LeMay as running mate • LeMay supported using nuclear weapons against Vietnam • “back to the stone age” Top: Wallace with clenched fist; above: Wallace on time with running-mate

  17. Who won and what did it mean? Below: Nixon exults after win • Nixon beat Humphrey by less than 1% • Signaled that America was becoming more conservative • Civil rights and Vietnam broke up FDR’s coalition (Southerners, minorities, liberals)

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