1968+The+Turning+Point+Notes-+Karlie

Karlie A. __1968: The Turning Point Notes__

__LEADING UP TO 1968:__
 * No clear cut winner in the war
 * Increase in American forces in SE and Asia
 * Viet Cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam
 * U.S. tries to “pacify” South Vietnam

__[|LBJ REMAINED DETERMINED:]__
 * Optimistic reports are sent back
 * McNamara sees “a light at the end of the tunnel”
 * Overall, the public supported America in Vietnam

__THE TET OFFENSIVE:__
 * [|__An attack on US strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the VC__]
 * The Lunar New Year
 * Eventually develops into a U.S. victory
 * Many cities in Japan were attacked in one month
 * [|__Shakes the public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat__]
 * [|__LBJ struggles- Congress cuts his Great Society budget__]
 * US involvement in the war is openly criticized
 * New Defense Secretary states that the war seems unwinnable

__LBJ SAYS__
 * [|__Public opinion changes__]
 * “I’m done. I’m out”
 * The nation turns on Johnson
 * Johnson speaks out about halting bombing and.....
 * The nation turns on Johnson because every night they see body bags on the TV
 * Nobody knew that Johnson was going to drop out; not even his co-workers

__[|APRIL 4]__
 * MLK is assisaniated
 * “The bullet exploded his head”
 * [|__Was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis__]
 * The nation breaks out in riots, especially the Major American City
 * Bobby Kennedy gives a speech

__RFK__
 * John F. Kennedy’s younger brother
 * He is a Kennedy, so he is a Democrat and the US LOVES the Kennedy’s.
 * Gives a speech and is assassinated in California; he dies and is buried by his brother

__DNC__
 * [|__People go to Chicago to protest against the war__]
 * Mayor of Chicago sends in many cops to calm and stop the riots

__1968 ELECTION__
 * Humphrey or McCarthy
 * Democratic nomination is Humphrey
 * Republican nomination is Richard Nixon
 * Another nomination is George Wallace: “Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”
 * Wallace only gets five states
 * Nixon wins by 500,000 votes
 * Nixon becomes President