1968

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

leading up to year... -no clear winner to war -increase in us forces in SE asia -viet cong proved to be guiding force in south vietnam -US tries to "pacify" south vietnam

-LBJ is determined -optimistic reports sent back -McNamara sees "a light at the end of the tunnel" -overall, public supported US in vietnam -ppl think war will end soon

TET OFFENSIVE -attack on US strongholds throughout southern vietnam by VC -all on tv -urban warfare, not the jungle anymore -tet is the lunar new year -enentually developed into US victory -shook public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat...NOT ANYMORE THOUGH

LBJ struggles -congress cuts his Great Society budget

public opinion changes -US involvement in war is openly criticized -new Defense Secretary states war seems unwinnable -nation turns on Johnson -Johnson speaks about halting bombing on vietnam -LBJ does not accept nomination for president in next election -increase in US fatalities

ASSASSINATION -MLK is shot in Tennessee -all over US ppl react -riots in every major city, including Milwaukee -Bobby Kennedy is pushing for peace, was friends with MLK -Bobby gives speech in Cali in June -Bobby's probably gonna be democratic nomination for pres -Bobby is assassinated too!!!!!

1968 election -between McCarthy and Humphrey for democratic party -Chicago Convention of 1968 was nightmare...everyone's crazy -all on tv -McCarthy and Nixon and Wallace are all nominated RESULT -Nixon wins -Nixon promises peace with honor

ANTIWAR PROTESTS going BIG