1. LEQ:How did the events of 1968 create a turning point in the war?
Turning Points

2. Who Fought in Vietnam? Analyze “Statistics handout”
What conclusions can u make after looking at the statistics?
What is interesting, what doesn’t make sense?

3. By 1967- the US war effort began to stalemate

4. 1968 1968 Democratic Convention Tet Offensive MLK Assassination
Cronkite Editorial
1968
RFK Assassination
LBJ Doesn’t run for reelection
Nixon wins election “Plan to End War”

5. The Draft (Selective Service)
Every US male must register for Selective Service
1966: 40,000 men were drafted each month
Caused Moral and confidence to decline

6. Deferments To defer from military duty Must Appeal to Draft Board
Most common: family, health, religious, education, and in the “national interest”, conscientious objector
Must Appeal to Draft Board
Draft Boards
Volunteers, white, male, middle class, vets

7. Draft Inequalities Poor Boy’s Don’t…. Who Doesn’t go?
Go to college, afford doctors, have careers;
As a result they go to WAR!
Who Doesn’t go?
Affluent children
Children of politicians
234 Sons of Congress eligible for the draft
118 deferments
28 sent to Vietnam
19 saw combat
How do you think the majority of Americans felt about this?

8. Tet Offensive Jan. 31, 1968- Tet, Vietnamese New Year
Surprise attacks on New Year, major cities and towns including Saigon-American Embassy
Results:
Military Failure- NVA lost over ,000 men
Propaganda Victory
Cronkite and U.S. loses support for war

9. The Resistance Protest Grew Across America Hawks vs. Doves
1968 Democratic Convention/ violence
Teach-ins
Protest across college campuses

10. Music/Pop Culture
The mood of a country can be expressed through popular music
The Vietnam era music is filled with Vietnam references