1. Chapter 22: The Vietnam War Years Section 4: 1968: A Tumultuous Year

2. California Academic Standards: 11.9.3 & 11.9.4 California Academic Standards: 11.9.3 & 11.9.4 11.9 Students analyze U.S. foreign policy since World War II. 11.9 Students analyze U.S. foreign policy since World War II..3Trace the origins and geopolitical consequences (foreign and domestic) of the Cold War and containment policy, including the following:.3Trace the origins and geopolitical consequences (foreign and domestic) of the Cold War and containment policy, including the following: The Vietnam War The Vietnam War.4List the effects of foreign policy on domestic policies and vice versa (e.g., protests during the war in Vietnam, the "nuclear freeze" movement)..4List the effects of foreign policy on domestic policies and vice versa (e.g., protests during the war in Vietnam, the "nuclear freeze" movement).

3. Objectives: Objectives: Following lecture and reading of this section, students will be able to: Following lecture and reading of this section, students will be able to: 1. Describe the Tet offensive and its effects on American public opinion. 2. Explain the domestic turbulence of 1968. 3. Describe the 1968 presidential election.

4. Overview: Overview: A surprise attack by the Vietcong begins the year of 1968. A surprise attack by the Vietcong begins the year of 1968. Two assassinations, urban riots, and campus protests rocked the nation. Two assassinations, urban riots, and campus protests rocked the nation. The chaotic Democratic convention helps pave the way for Republican Richard Nixon’s win in November’s presidential election. The chaotic Democratic convention helps pave the way for Republican Richard Nixon’s win in November’s presidential election.

5. The Tet Offensive Turns the War The Tet Offensive Turns the War Early in 1968, North Vietnam and the Vietcong launch a surprise attack, it became known as the Tet offensive. Early in 1968, North Vietnam and the Vietcong launch a surprise attack, it became known as the Tet offensive. Tet is the Vietnamese term for New Year and a week long truce was agreed upon to celebrate the New Year. Tet is the Vietnamese term for New Year and a week long truce was agreed upon to celebrate the New Year.

6. As a result of that truce many villagers fled back into towns and cities. As a result of that truce many villagers fled back into towns and cities. During this time many funerals were being held for the victims of the war in South Vietnam. During this time many funerals were being held for the victims of the war in South Vietnam. The Vietcong knowing this brought in weapons in coffins disguised themselves as villagers and surprise attacked nearly 100 cities in South Vietnam, as well as 12 U.S. air bases, and the U.S. embassy in Saigon killing 5 Americans there. The Vietcong knowing this brought in weapons in coffins disguised themselves as villagers and surprise attacked nearly 100 cities in South Vietnam, as well as 12 U.S. air bases, and the U.S. embassy in Saigon killing 5 Americans there.

7. It took over a month for U.S. and South Vietnamese forces to regain control of the cities. It took over a month for U.S. and South Vietnamese forces to regain control of the cities. The Vietcong lost about 32,000 soldiers, while the U.S. and ARVN only lost about 3,000. The Vietcong lost about 32,000 soldiers, while the U.S. and ARVN only lost about 3,000. A 10:1 advantage for the U.S. A 10:1 advantage for the U.S. The Tet offensive changed public opinion about the war and contributed to Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection. The Tet offensive changed public opinion about the war and contributed to Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection.

8. Many Americans believed the Vietcong was close to defeat and this display of surprise attack seemed to tell people otherwise. Many Americans believed the Vietcong was close to defeat and this display of surprise attack seemed to tell people otherwise. The credibility gap of Johnson’s administration grew even wider than it already was The credibility gap of Johnson’s administration grew even wider than it already was A poll before the Tet offensive showing that only 28% of people considered themselves doves and 56% considered themselves hawks changed to a 40-40 split following the Tet offensive. A poll before the Tet offensive showing that only 28% of people considered themselves doves and 56% considered themselves hawks changed to a 40-40 split following the Tet offensive.

9. The Tet offensive sours the media’s and the public’s view of the war. The Tet offensive sours the media’s and the public’s view of the war. Walter Cronkite and other news agencies began to criticize the war and claim it was going to end in a bloody stalemate. Walter Cronkite and other news agencies began to criticize the war and claim it was going to end in a bloody stalemate. Clark Clifford, the new Secretary of Defense who was replacing Robert McNamara and strongly agreed with Johnson’s Vietnam War policy, reached the conclusion that the… Clark Clifford, the new Secretary of Defense who was replacing Robert McNamara and strongly agreed with Johnson’s Vietnam War policy, reached the conclusion that the…

10. …war was unwinnable and that to put more U.S. soldiers in Vietnam would only force the Vietcong to match them and continue losing lives. By the end of February, President Johnson’s popularity has plummeted and he knew he was in trouble. By the end of February, President Johnson’s popularity has plummeted and he knew he was in trouble.

11. Days of Loss and Rage Days of Loss and Rage Some Democrats wanted to oust President Johnson from office. Some Democrats wanted to oust President Johnson from office. Robert Kennedy was asked to run against him, but he would not do it because he wanted to be loyal to his party. Robert Kennedy was asked to run against him, but he would not do it because he wanted to be loyal to his party. Eugene McCarthy was willing to try to unseat Johnson as the… Eugene McCarthy was willing to try to unseat Johnson as the…

12. …Democratic party’s candidate for the 1968 election. The impressive showing of an antiwar candidate, Eugene McCarthy, in the New Hampshire Democratic primary in which he received 42% and Johnson only received 48% prompts Robert Kennedy to join the presidential race. The impressive showing of an antiwar candidate, Eugene McCarthy, in the New Hampshire Democratic primary in which he received 42% and Johnson only received 48% prompts Robert Kennedy to join the presidential race.

13. On March 31, 1968, President Johnson announced a dramatic change in Vietnam policy (ending escalation, ceasing the bombing of North Vietnam, and ensuring South Vietnam played a larger part in “their” war) and Johnson decided to bow out of the presidential race and not seek or accept the nomination of the Democratic Party for president. On March 31, 1968, President Johnson announced a dramatic change in Vietnam policy (ending escalation, ceasing the bombing of North Vietnam, and ensuring South Vietnam played a larger part in “their” war) and Johnson decided to bow out of the presidential race and not seek or accept the nomination of the Democratic Party for president.

14. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy are assassinated and campus protests surge. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy are assassinated and campus protests surge. MLK Jr. was assassinated just days after Johnson announced he was stepping down on April 4, 1968. MLK Jr. was assassinated just days after Johnson announced he was stepping down on April 4, 1968. Riots erupted as followers of Dr. King burned buildings and destroyed neighborhoods in nearly 100 U.S. cities. Riots erupted as followers of Dr. King burned buildings and destroyed neighborhoods in nearly 100 U.S. cities.

15. At the end of the week 46 people were dead 3,000 were injured, and 27,000 were arrested. At the end of the week 46 people were dead 3,000 were injured, and 27,000 were arrested. Robert Kennedy had become very popular and after winning the California Primary election and giving his victory speech, he was shot and killed by a Palestinian immigrant who disliked his support of Israel. Robert Kennedy had become very popular and after winning the California Primary election and giving his victory speech, he was shot and killed by a Palestinian immigrant who disliked his support of Israel.

16. College campuses continued there protests with 40,000 students on over 100 campuses taking part in more than 221 demonstrations people began to feel as if the country was ripping apart at its seems. College campuses continued there protests with 40,000 students on over 100 campuses taking part in more than 221 demonstrations people began to feel as if the country was ripping apart at its seems.

17. A Turbulent Race for President A Turbulent Race for President Protests spark rioting in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. Protests spark rioting in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. The protests showed the nation that the Democratic Party was in upheaval and disagreement. The protests showed the nation that the Democratic Party was in upheaval and disagreement.

18. Protesters began a riot in Chicago which scared many people away from the party. Protesters began a riot in Chicago which scared many people away from the party. Delegates at the Democratic convention bitterly debate the party’s antiwar plank. Delegates at the Democratic convention bitterly debate the party’s antiwar plank. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey wins the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in the face of controversy that he was nominated before the convention had taken place. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey wins the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in the face of controversy that he was nominated before the convention had taken place.

19. The Republican presidential candidate, Richard Nixon, wins the 1968 election. The Republican presidential candidate, Richard Nixon, wins the 1968 election.