Transcript 1968 - West Deptford Public Schools
A Year of Crises
What was it?
Massive NVA offensive on major cities in South Vietnam including the capital, Saigon
Reaction –
Increased antiwar protests Now a slim majority think Vietnam was a mistake and that the war could not be won
Anti-War Views (April 4, 1967)
Makes speech outlining his opposition to the Vietnam War
Poor People’s Campaign (1968)
King believed that poverty led to violence, wanted to end all economic injustice, proposes a new march on Washington, travels country to gain support
April 3 –
“ I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech , seen as being prophetic about his death
April 4 –
Link King shot with a high-powered rifle on the balcony of his motel
Events
James Earl Ray
accused & convicted of killing MLK – man
Reaction –
A nation mourns, huge funeral procession, riots erupt in 124 cities, 5,500 troops needed to stop the violence
RFK Speech
Eugene McCarthy
– Anti-war candidate in 1968, almost beat LBJ in primary, showed vulnerability of President Decision –
Decides to run for President, campaign got boost when LBJ decides not to run (March 31) RFK –
the Candidate Years Since JFK’s Assassination –
Reached out to different groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, poor whites) Against the War –
Morally & politically opposed, critical of LBJ for not financing programs at home New Hope –
Seen as the new hope to finish what brother started
California Primary – RFK wins key victory, makes victory speech
Sirhan Sirhan
–
Palestinian, shot RFK as he made his way through food prep room at hotel, dies day later at hospital on June 6
Reaction –
seen as the end of hopes for reform and change
Hubert Humphrey – privately VP for LBJ, advocate of social justice & civil rights, opposed LBJ’s Vietnam Policy BUT publicly supported it – Why?
“Dump the Hump” – anti-war democrats harassed Humphrey
Humphrey Heckled
Party Divided
– Democratic Party was split Humphrey & McCarthy between
Richard Daley
– Democratic mayor of Chicago, did not like radicals, peace marchers, or hippies
Protected convention hall with barb wire & chain link fence
Demonstrations
Link – Police order them to leave, tear gas & clubs, move in on crowd, several violent confrontations, police beat everyone & anyone
“ The Whole World Is Watching”
Much of violence was seen on TV
Demonstrators chanted this as they were beaten
Nomination –
Humphrey gets nomination, but party is in ruins & divided
Republicans – Richard Nixon
VP – Spiro Agnew (Gov. of MD) – attacked Humphrey Ran on – Vietnam law & order, secret plan to get out of Refused to Debate Humphrey – Why?
Vietnam Ad / Leadership / The One
Democrats – Hubert Humphrey
VP – Edmund Muskie (VP) from Maine Nixon’s Accomplishments Ad / Nixon Shift Ad / Type of Man to be president
American Ind. –
George Wallace
Conservative, against forced integration – Campaign Ad
Results
Importance marks beginning of rise of Conservatives & Republican rule