1968: A Tumultuous Year

•Tet Offensive•Cronkite’s analysis

•Rise of the Counter Culture •Johnson’s withdraws

•MLK and RFK’s assassination•My Lai Massacre

•Collegiate protests•Chicago anti-war demonstration

•President Nixon

http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/av.hom/streaming-index.shtm

The Pueblo IncidentThe Pueblo Incident

U.S.S. Pueblo was seized by North Korea.

The 82 sailor crew was tortured to give information.**

The U.S.S.R. was looking for a a cryptographic machine onboard to match with a key provided to the Soviets by the spy John Walker.

U.S.S. Pueblo was seized by North Korea.

The 82 sailor crew was tortured to give information.**

The U.S.S.R. was looking for a a cryptographic machine onboard to match with a key provided to the Soviets by the spy John Walker.

Tet OffensiveTet Offensive A massive surprise attack

by the Vietcong on South Vietnamese towns and cities early in 1968

Greatly shock the American public and changed millions of minds about he war

“…the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate.”

Turning point of the war.

A massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on South Vietnamese towns and cities early in 1968

Greatly shock the American public and changed millions of minds about he war

“…the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate.”

Turning point of the war.

Johnson’s Popularity Plummets

Johnson’s Popularity Plummets

60% of Americans disapprove of how he’s handling the war

Cronkite, America’s most trusted man, states that the war is unwinnable.

“What the hell is going on over there? I thought we were winning this war.” Walter Cronkite

“if I’ve lost Walter, then it’s over.” LBJ

60% of Americans disapprove of how he’s handling the war

Cronkite, America’s most trusted man, states that the war is unwinnable.

“What the hell is going on over there? I thought we were winning this war.” Walter Cronkite

“if I’ve lost Walter, then it’s over.” LBJ

Johnson Withdraws from 1968 Election

Johnson Withdraws from 1968 Election

After the New Hampshire primary Robert Kennedy enters the race

March 31, 1968-Johnson leaves the presidential race

The war “killed the lady I really loved-the Great Society”

After the New Hampshire primary Robert Kennedy enters the race

March 31, 1968-Johnson leaves the presidential race

The war “killed the lady I really loved-the Great Society”

Assassinations of 1968Assassinations of 1968

April 4, 1968-MLK assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee at the Lorraine Motel. (Over 100 riot broke out across the Nation.)

Over 21,000 people were arrested.

James Earl Ray was convicted of his murder.

April 4, 1968-MLK assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee at the Lorraine Motel. (Over 100 riot broke out across the Nation.)

Over 21,000 people were arrested.

James Earl Ray was convicted of his murder.

Robert Kennedy’s link to MLK

Robert Kennedy’s link to MLK

Robert Kennedy worked with MLK on Civil Rights.

The night of MLK’s death Robert Kennedy was giving a speech in Indianapolis. This was the only major city in the U.S. where riots did not break out.

Robert Kennedy worked with MLK on Civil Rights.

The night of MLK’s death Robert Kennedy was giving a speech in Indianapolis. This was the only major city in the U.S. where riots did not break out.

Assassinations of 1968 cont.

Assassinations of 1968 cont.

June 5, 1968 Robert Kennedy (JFK’s brother) was assassinated, at the famous Ambassador’s Hotel, just after winning the California Democratic Primary.

Side note: same day James Earl Ray was captured in London, England.

June 5, 1968 Robert Kennedy (JFK’s brother) was assassinated, at the famous Ambassador’s Hotel, just after winning the California Democratic Primary.

Side note: same day James Earl Ray was captured in London, England.

The KillersThe Killers

James Earl Ray

Sirhan Sirhan

James Earl Ray

Sirhan Sirhan

College War ProtestsCollege War Protests

The Vietnam war was being protested nationwide.

Most major protest were held on college campuses.

Hippies and anti authority!

Students took over the Columbian Univ. campus in New York

The Vietnam war was being protested nationwide.

Most major protest were held on college campuses.

Hippies and anti authority!

Students took over the Columbian Univ. campus in New York

Race for the Presidency in 1968

Race for the Presidency in 1968

For the DemocratsHubert HumphreyEugene McCarty (LBJ’s VP)Robert Kennedy (Until June)

For the RepublicansRichard Nixon

American IndependentGovernor George Wallace

Black Panthers PartyBobby Seale

For the DemocratsHubert HumphreyEugene McCarty (LBJ’s VP)Robert Kennedy (Until June)

For the RepublicansRichard Nixon

American IndependentGovernor George Wallace

Black Panthers PartyBobby Seale

Race for the PresidencyRace for the PresidencyAugust 1968-anti-

war demonstrations in Chicago

Wanted anti-war platform, displeased with Humphrey’s nomination

Yippies wanted to provoke violence that might discredit Dem. party

August 1968-anti-war demonstrations in Chicago

Wanted anti-war platform, displeased with Humphrey’s nomination

Yippies wanted to provoke violence that might discredit Dem. party

“Black Power”“Black Power”1968 Olympic Games in

Mexico City

Athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos lowered their heads and raised their fists in a "Black Panther" salute. In this way, they protested against racism in America.

1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City

Athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos lowered their heads and raised their fists in a "Black Panther" salute. In this way, they protested against racism in America.

March 16, 1968 – My Lai Massacre

March 16, 1968 – My Lai Massacre

Nixon TriumphsNixon Triumphs

Lost to JFK in 1960 Restore law and

order and end the war

George Wallace, dividing democratic votes (Wins 5 states)

Nixon wins election of 1968

Lost to JFK in 1960 Restore law and

order and end the war

George Wallace, dividing democratic votes (Wins 5 states)

Nixon wins election of 1968

Pueblo Sailors ReleasedPueblo Sailors Released

December 23, 1968 the 82 sailors were released.

U.S. had to admit blame and pledge not to spy on NK again.

All of the sailors had to sign an apology.

December 23, 1968 the 82 sailors were released.

U.S. had to admit blame and pledge not to spy on NK again.

All of the sailors had to sign an apology.