Notes

** 1968: A Turning Point in American History**

Leading up to 1968….. -No clear winner tin the war -Increased American forces in SE Asia -LBJ president -Viet cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam -US tires to “pacify” South Vietnam -LBJ remained determined.. most important in Vietnam War of the 5 presidents in the war
 * CONTEXT **

**EARLY IN THE WAR** -Optimistic reports sent back to LBJ and the nation -He is told “there is a light at the end of the tunne,l” the end of the war in sight -Overall, the public still supported America in Vietnam (little opposition) -Tet: the Vietnamese lunar holiday -A surprise attack on U.S. strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the VC -Urban warfare… attacking cities -It all plays out on the nightly news-leads to extreme opposition by Americans!!! -eventually developed into a U.S. victory -Shook the public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat
 * THE TET OFFENSIVE **

**THE MEDIA AND VIETNAM** -everything exposed on the nightly news-reporters embedded with soldiers-interviewing during shooting -“the living room war” -plays HUGE role in public interpretation of war - public starting to turn on LBJ - LBJ struggles -Congress cuts his Great Society budget -Its an election year.. uh oh -US involvement in the war is openly criticized -new Defense Secretary states the war seems unwinnable -nation turns on Johnson -Johnson speaks about halting bombing and he says im done, im not going to run again for president -Now who will lead the nation?
 * A SHIFT IN OPINION**

-an increase in U.S. fatalities-nation in upheaval in 1968 because of more troops sent in after tet offensive-the war is definitely not near an end -4 days after Johnson announces he will not run for president, MLK is assassinated(king protested vietam strongly) in Memohis Tenesse -public receives another shock-CRAZY! -result of MLK assassination: marches, race riots across the entire country- someone needed to step up and lead!
 * MORE CHAOS**

-Robert Francis Kennedy steps up- he was JFKs Attourney general -frontrunner for Democratic nomination -he has the name, money, charisma, he will undoubtedly be the next president - tries to unite the country -one month later, on to Chicago, he is assassinated at ambassador hotel by a Palestinian Terrorist because of what Kennedy would do as president in the palistine area
 * ROBERT KENNEDY**

-democratic nominations in Chicago -democratic race now between McCarthy and LBJs vice president, neither very promising -Chicago-Democratic National Convention of 1968-protest so Chicago Mayor sends police forces -The national convention is utter chaos with the protests -Hubert Humphrey is nominated for the Democrats -republicans nominate Richard Nixon-somehow comes back out of nowhere -George Wallace-Dixiecrat-who had the segregation forever quote, runs as a third party
 * PARTY NOMINATIONS**

-Tigers win world series -Summer olympics-black power protest -1968 Election -beatles turn druggie haha
 * OTHER EVENTS IN 1968:**

-Nixon wins-looks like blowout -George Wallace, segregationist gov wins five states!!! Elucidates that the country is not united on segregation and racial issues -Richard Nixon promises "peace an honor" in Vietnam -Country crazy in 1968
 * THE ELECTION**

BEFORE 1968: SOME PROTEST, BUT NOT BIG. AFTER 1968: ANTI-WAR PROTEST IS BIG! Hippies....Woodstock..good music.... **
 * WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF 1968?