1968: A Tumultuous Year Main Idea: An enemy attack in Vietnam, two assassinations, and a chaotic political convention made 1968 an explosive year

The Tet Offensive Description: series of massive coordinated attacks throughout South Vietnam by the Vietcong –Began January 30 during Tet festivities –Truce proclaimed for festivities Festivities for new year and funerals for dead Thousands of NVA and Vietcong troops attacked a US military base, embassy in Saigon, 100 towns and cities in South Vietnam Tet Offensive lasted for a month

The Tet Offensive Results: US “military” victory Demonstrated that no part of South Vietnam was safe from attack Caused many Americans to question whether or not the war in Vietnam could be won –“The enemy is close to defeat” Widening of the Johnson credibility gap –Media openly criticized the war

Vietnam and Johnson March 1968 Johnson announces he will not seek reelection – % Americans disapprove of his handling of the war US will seek negotiations to end the war US policy of escalation would end Bombing would eventually cease Steps would be taken to ensure that the South Vietnamese played a larger role in the war

Chaos of 1968 April 4, 1968 MLK assassinated –Shot by James Earl Ray on the balcony of hotel June 6, 1968 RFK assassinated –Shot leaving a Las Vegas hotel by Sirhan Sirhan, a Jordanian immigrant who didn’t like Kennedy’s support for Israel Major college demonstrations targeting US involvement in Vietnam –Columbia University Turmoil at Democratic National Convention

Democratic Convention 1968 Goal = select party nominee –Eugene McCarthy (MN Senator) –Robert Kennedy (NY Senator) (assassinated) –Hubert Humphrey (Johnson’s VP) Description: antiwar protestors turned violent at Chicago convention –Protestors upset at selection of Humphrey as nominee –Protestors wanted Democrats to adopt antiwar platform –Police and protestors clashed (mace, beatings) Television cameras captured events “The Whole World is Watching!”

Other Contenders in 1968 Richard Nixon Republican Won the nomination at the Republican National Convention Chose Spiro Agnew as his running mate Appealed to the patriotism of mainstream Americans Promised “law and order” Claimed to have a secret plan to end the war “with honor” George Wallace Independent (former Democrat) Former Alabama governor Nominated by the American Independent Party Opposed the civil rights movement and school desegregation and war protesters Appealed to conservative Democratic white southerners and working class whites

Democratic Convention 1968 Results: Democrats perceived as chaotic and disorganized Republicans win presidency –Richard Nixon