1968 Presidential Election and the Democratic Convention in Chicago Skyler Werner, Rachel Malcolm, Matt Merrill

Introduction Johnson didn’t seek reelection in 1968 so presidential race was wide open Enact fundamental political and social changes, future at stake Optimism soon died as political infighting, violence, and assassination broke out

Two Leaders Fall In the Spring and Summer of the Campaign, two prominent leaders who spoke prominently for peace in Vietnam and and social change were stuck down. Martin Luther King Jr., a powerful speaker for the civil rights movement who contributed compelling moral and social reason for peace both in and outside of America, was killed. His voice was tragically silenced on April 4, 1968, in Memphis Tennessee.

Robert Kennedy was the next leader to fall. On June 5, 1968, at a rally celebrating his victory in the California primaries, a Palestinian Immigrant named Sirhan Sirhan shot Kennedy in the head.

Protesters Disrupt Chicago Democratic Convention The murders of King and Kennedy cast a dark shadow on the election. The Democrats gathered in Chicago to select a presidential candidate. As the delegates arrived, so too did anti-war protesters, prompting the mayor to deploy the police and the national guard. As the delegates cast their votes, violence erupted outside the convention between the police and the protesters.

The television coverage of the fierce fighting in the streets and the bitter arguments on the convention floor shocked Americans. Chaos and civil disorder seemed to have replaced civil debate in the political arena. The divisions in Chicago mirrored the deep divisions in American politics and the heartbreaking violence on the from the lines in Vietnam.

Other Things that Happened… As US deaths in Vietnam increased, public became ‘antiwar’ Inside main hall, hawks and doves exchanged angry outbursts Outside, violent clashes between protestors and Chicago police Chicago mayor shouts insults at Senator during senator’s speech criticizing the tactics of the Chicago police Many protestors only wanted right to free speech, others wanted public response

Richard Nixon Wins Presidency Republicans nominated Richard M. Nixon, who promised he would deliver "peace with honor". He wanted the United States out of Vietnam, however on honorable peace terms. Nixon used what was described as a "southern strategy", courting more conservative voters and with appeals to law and order.

Alabama governor George Wallace also ran for the Presidency on a third party ticket. His appeal was that neither of the traditional political parties offered what people really wanted. He had no sympathy for antiwar activists, civil rights protesters, and desired victory in Vietnam. The combination of the "southern strategy" and Wallace's third-party candidacy siphoned traditionally Democratic votes away from Humphrey, the Democratic candidate. Richard Nixon's ascendancy marked a new Republican domination of the American presidency.