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1968

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?

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1968

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  1. 1968 Chapter 29.3

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

  3. 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?

  4. 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.

  5. Media Before Tet

  6. Media After Tet

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. America Divided • America was split – antiwar vs. advocates of increased warfare • Johnson refuses to send additional troops to Vietnam.

  10. 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.

  11. 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?

  12. 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.

  13. 3rd Party • 1968 also included a strong 3rdparty candidate. • George Wallace campaigned on an anti-civil rights and pro-war platform that appealed to many southern whites.

  14. 1968

  15. 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.

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