Anti-War+Movement

Why was 1968 such a turning point in the Vietnam Era?

Context in 1968


 * No clear cut winner in the war
 * Increase in American forces in SE Asia
 * Viet cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam
 * US tries to "pacify" South Vietnam; or trying to get civilians to agree with their cause

LBJ Remained Determined


 * Optimistic reports sent back from Vietnam
 * McNamara sees "a light at the end of the tunnel"
 * Overall, the public still supported America in Vietnam
 * America thinks they're winning

The Tet Offensive


 * An attack on U.S. strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by Viet Cong
 * Massive surprise attack across South Vietnam
 * Convinced U.S. civilians we would not have an easy win
 * Eventually developed into a U.S. victory
 * Shook the public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat

Public opinion changes


 * Us involvement openly criticized
 * LBJ struggles- Congress cuts his Great Society budget


 * New defense secretary states that the war is unwinnable
 * The nation turns on Johnson
 * Johnson speaks about halting bombing and he won't run again
 * Increase in U.S. fatalities

Assassination


 * Five days after Martin Luther King assassinated
 * Race riots across country following Martin Luther King's assassination
 * Robert Francis Kennedy steps up for the Democratic party- front runner in election
 * Tries to unite the country
 * Palestine terrorist assassinates Kennedy

The 1968 Election


 * McCarthy vs. Humphrey
 * Riot at the Democratic Nation Convention nomination the president in Chicago
 * Wallace runs as an independent candidate
 * Around the times of Olympics in Mexico City- many protests
 * Hair came out- shocked the world

The Results


 * Wallace wins 5 states
 * Nixon wins by less than 1 million votes
 * Richard Nixon Elected- Peace and Honor