1968

WHY WAS 1968 SUCH A TURNING POINT IN THE VIETNAM ERA?

- no clear cut winner - more american forces are going to SE Asia - the Viet Cong is the guided force in South Vietnam, - the US is trying to pacify South Vietnam ( want to guide people away from communism)
 * Context**

- optimistic reports are being sent back from Vietnam - overall the public still supported americans in vietnam
 * - LBJ was determined**

- an attack on US strongholds (cities) in south Vietnam - it was a US victory - the US thought they were in the lead and that the war was almost over, but after this is showed the US that it wasn't - it shook the public and now there may not be so supportive
 * The Tet offensive (tet means lunar new year)

****LBJ Struggles** - defense secretary says the war is not winnable - the nation turns on Johnson - he says im done to public (1969 is an election year) - the death increase while in his presidency **
 * - congress cuts his budget

-causing more turmoil - riots are now going to occur across the country - race crisis throughout the US - Bobby Kennedy gives great speech to turn around - going to lead the nation to heal the loss - Kennedy is then assassinated because of what he might do as president (he was the favorite) **
 * Assassination**
 * - MLK is assassinated who wanted an and to the Vietnam war.

- Between McCarthy and Humphrey - The convention is terrible. THey are all yelling at each other and it gets out of hand! ** - Humphrey, nixon, and Wallace are the candidates - Nixon wins with 43% of popular vote - He promises peace with honor in Vietnam **
 * Election**