1968+-+The+Turning+Point+5.25.12

= = 19

1968- The Turning Point


 * Leading up to 1968:**
 * No clear winner in the war
 * Increase in American Army in SE Asia
 * Vietcong proved to be guiding force in S. Vietnam
 * US tries to pacify South Vietnam
 * Guerrilla warfare
 * Hard to identify enemy in Vietnam
 * [|Johnson] continues to encourage war
 * Optimistic reports sent back to US from Vietnam
 * McNamara sees a "light at the end of the tunnel"
 * Public still supporting US in Vietnam


 * The Tet Offensive**
 * VC attacked many US strongholds in S Vietnam
 * Called "Tet" because it was on Lunar New Year
 * US Embassy attacked
 * [|Walter Cronkite] went to Vietnam and came back w/ reports that we could not win this war, it was not almost over
 * In the end, Tet Offensive was US victory, but shook US public
 * LBJ struggles, Congress cuts great society budget
 * US involvement under heavy criticism [[image:http://ivarfjeld.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/execution_of_a_viet_cong_guerrilla_1968.jpg width="426" height="293"]]


 * LBJ Says**
 * Broadcasts on TV, says he will not accept the nomination to run for President
 * Talks about halting bombing
 * Nation turning on Johnson
 * US fatalities are huge (1/4 of all soldiers on Vietnam Mem. died in 1968)


 * April 4, MLK Assainated**
 * Memphis, Tennessee, on balcony at Loraine Motel
 * Huge riots in all big cities


 * RFK**
 * JFK's younger brother
 * Big adivisor in Cuban Missile Crisis
 * Also senator
 * Throws his hat in for Pres. Race
 * Winning primaries
 * Will win Democratic Primary
 * Assassinated after speech in Indianapolis


 * DNC**
 * Disaster
 * Police violence in protests outside of Convention


 * 1968 Election**
 * [|Nixon], [|Humphrey,] [|George Wallace]