What made 1968 a Year the changed America?

I. TV War - Tet Combat footage on nightly TV news shows stark picture of war Credibility Gap: Tet Offensive – VC take key positions in Saigon, including the US Embassy. Westmorland and LBJ had been telling the country the US was winning- that’s not the image Americans saw on TV.

Walter Cronkite’s Bombshell CBS News Anchorman Walter Cronkite goes to Vietnam – Reports that the war is unwinnable; “Honorable Peace” Known as the “most trusted man in America.”

II. 1968 Presidential Election The Democrats Eugene McCarthy – Dove Candidate; no chance RFK – Dove that could actually win - Assassinated Dems are left with Hubert Humphrey (LBJ’s VP) - Doves: Blood on his hands; Youth does not Vote - George Wallace – (Dixiecrat) runs as an Independent; splits the Party

III. Assassinations MLK/RFK Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968,  Robert Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan James Earl Ray shot King on April 4th, 1968

1968: Year of Rage Columbia University: student protest. Chicago Democratic Convention: Anti-war demonstrations. Clashed with police all around the convention center Democrats could not unite themselves, let alone the country.

II. The Election of 1968 (cont.) The Republican Richard Nixon – veteran politician; cold warrior; promises to unite the country “Law and Order” candidate; Anti-Warren Court; Silent Majority Wins with 43.2% of popular vote (plurality)

1968 Presidential Election – A Critical Election: The Era of Divided Government

The Nation Divides Who is fighting? 80% from lower economic levels - DRAFT Hawks & Doves Hawks: more force to win the war – stop Com Doves: US should withdraw Students for a Democratic Society Tom Hayden – teach-ins Demonstrations – burn draft cards New Left – liberals who want to reform society. . . Election of 1968???

1968 Conclusions: A Year that Changed America? War in Vietnam – Tet Offensive The Election of 1968 Assassinations – MLK/RFK

1960’s Counter Culture