1968

Chapter 29.3

Main Idea

• As the Vietnam War dragged on and increasingly appeared to be unwinnable, deep divisions developed in American society.

How do You Win a War?

• In sports, or warfare, what does it mean to be on offense?

• Characterize the type of fighting the communists had practiced prior to 1968?

Tet Offensive

• January 1968: North Vietnam and the Vietcong go on the offensive.

• Planned hundreds of assaults on US military bases and cities in South Vietnam.

• The Tet Offensive caught the US off guard.• Eventually all territory gained by the

communists was retaken.

Media Before Tet

Media After Tet

Effects of Tet

• Tet is considered the turning point in the Vietnam War.

• Showed that the communists were not giving up and that South Vietnam was vulnerable.

• Media criticized the government’s role in Vietnam.

• Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara begin to look for a way out.

President Johnson Under Fire

• 1968: Presidential election year• Eugene McCarthy (Democrat) campaigns

against Vietnam, challenges Johnson• Robert Kennedy (Democrat) also announces

he will run.• Johnson, facing strong challenges from both

Dems and Republicans states that he will not run for reelection.

America Divided

• America was split – antiwar vs. advocates of increased warfare

• Johnson refuses to send additional troops to Vietnam.

Presidential Election

• Robert Kennedy emerged as the front runner.

• He campaigns to end US action in Vietnam.

• In June, Kennedy is assassinated, leaving the Democratic Party and the nation torn.

Democratic National Convention

• Dems met in Chicago to pick a candidate.

• Divided between Hubert Humphrey (Hawk) and Eugene McCarthy (Dove)

• Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) protested, leading to riots.

• Police intervened, leading to a violent clash with protesters.

• The Dems chose Hubert Humphrey.

• What image does this convention give of the Democratic Party in 68?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epxmX_58tOo

Door Opens for Republicans

• Republicans nominate Richard Nixon

• Nixon campaigns to bring “law and order” and bring an “honorable end to Vietnam”

• Nixon also states that he has a secret plan for peace, but refused to share details.

• Nixon promotes Vietnamization- a gradual withdrawl of US troops while turing the war over to the South Vietnamese government.

• Nixon appealed to middle class America, and easily won the election.

3rd Party

• 1968 also included a strong 3rd party candidate.

• George Wallace campaigned on an anti-civil rights and pro-war platform that appealed to many southern whites.

1968

Nixon’s Mandate

With a large victory, Nixon felt he had the support he needed to reverse his promise of peace in Vietnam and push for victory.