Notes+on+1968

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

Leading up to the 1968...
 * No clear winner in the war
 * Increase in AMerican Forces in SE Asia
 * Viet Cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam
 * United States tries to "pacify" South Vietnam
 * Enforce United States army and be democratic

LBJ remained determined:
 * Optimistic reports are sent back
 * McNamara sees "a light at the end of the tunnel."
 * Overall, the public still supported America in Vietnam

The Tet Offensive:
 * An attack on the UNited States strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the VIet Cong
 * Eventually developed into a United States victory
 * Shook the public, who thought the enmy was close to defeat
 * Now against LBJ for harm to South Vietnamese, but really Viet Cong

LBJ struggles:
 * Congress cuts his Great Society Budget

Public Opinion changes
 * US involvement in the war is openly criticized
 * New defense Secretary states that the war seems unwinnable
 * The nation turns on Johnson
 * Johnson speaks about halting bombs and...
 * Speaks:
 * I'm done, he doesn't was to be re=elected
 * 5 days later, King is assassinated, cause race riots all over the country

Robert Francis Kennedy
 * Front runner to be President
 * Tries to reunites country
 * Assassinated by a Palestine

THe 1968 Election
 * Between Ugene McCarthy and Kennedy's Vice President, Hubert Humphrey
 * Dan Rather- young reporter, and someone punches him.
 * Democratic nominate Humphrey and Republicans nominate Nixon
 * Third Candidate, George Wallace- segregation
 * George wins, some part of the country isn't united, still want segregation
 * Nixon will promise peace within Vietnam.
 * Peace and Honor

Antiwar Protest
 * Who?
 * Why?
 * How?