1 The Crises of 1968 Chapter 22 Section 1 Angela Brown

2 Overview Nixon’s win marks start of a republican hold on presidency to last, with one interruption for 20 years. Nixon’s win marks start of a republican hold on presidency to last, with one interruption for 20 years. Political shift reflected distress of 1960s on mainstream America called Middle America Political shift reflected distress of 1960s on mainstream America called Middle America

3 Antiwar Sentiment Increases Tet a major defeat for VC but politically defeating for U.S. and President Johnson Tet a major defeat for VC but politically defeating for U.S. and President Johnson After Tet polls showed majority of Americans against war for the first time After Tet polls showed majority of Americans against war for the first time Walter Cronkite, known for objectivity, announced war would most likely end in stalemate – Johnson, “If I’ve lost Cronkite I’ve lost middle America.” Walter Cronkite, known for objectivity, announced war would most likely end in stalemate – Johnson, “If I’ve lost Cronkite I’ve lost middle America.”

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5 King Assassinated 1968 Poor People’s Campaign - stated that poverty bred violence – attacked economic injustice – planning Poor People’s March on Washington 1968 Poor People’s Campaign - stated that poverty bred violence – attacked economic injustice – planning Poor People’s March on Washington Traveled U.S. mobilizing support Traveled U.S. mobilizing support King was in Memphis, TN assisting garbage strike workers King was in Memphis, TN assisting garbage strike workers He was shot on motel balcony and died an hour later. He was shot on motel balcony and died an hour later.

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8 African Americans rioted, set fires, and looted stores in 124 cities = 45 people dead African Americans rioted, set fires, and looted stores in 124 cities = 45 people dead President Johnson ordered all flags at ½ mast to honor King – took 5500 troops to stop violence President Johnson ordered all flags at ½ mast to honor King – took 5500 troops to stop violence King’s death eroded faith in nonviolent change. King’s death eroded faith in nonviolent change.

9 James Earl Ray

10 Robert Kennedy Assassinated Since JFK’s death, reach out to Chicanos, Native American, African Americans, and poor white families Since JFK’s death, reach out to Chicanos, Native American, African Americans, and poor white families Opposed to Vietnam War – criticized Johnson administration for spending money financing war rather than needy at home Opposed to Vietnam War – criticized Johnson administration for spending money financing war rather than needy at home

11 Assassination June 1968 battling Eugene McCarthy for democratic primary (Johnson had not ran) June 1968 battling Eugene McCarthy for democratic primary (Johnson had not ran) won California primary won California primary victory speech victory speech just after midnight shot – just after midnight shot – died later that day died later that day

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13 Sirhan Sirhan From Palestine, Jerusalem now Isreal. He was disturbed by Kennedy’s pro-Isreal positions

14 The 1968 Democratic Convention Group of radicals, peace activists, and hippies vowed to descend on Chicago in August for the convention Group of radicals, peace activists, and hippies vowed to descend on Chicago in August for the convention Protesting nomination of Herbert Humphrey Protesting nomination of Herbert Humphrey Johnson’s VP (Democrats thought Eugene McCarthy to far out of mainstream) Johnson’s VP (Democrats thought Eugene McCarthy to far out of mainstream)

15 Herbert Humphrey Eugene McCarthy

16 Chicago Mayor Richard Daley had convention protected by barbed wire and chain-link fencing Chicago Mayor Richard Daley had convention protected by barbed wire and chain-link fencing ordered police to clear protesters from Lincoln Park ordered police to clear protesters from Lincoln Park Police went in with tear gas and clubs Police went in with tear gas and clubs violent confrontations took place in front of TV cameras violent confrontations took place in front of TV cameras Humphrey was nominated Humphrey was nominated the party was torn further apart the party was torn further apart

17 Richard Daley

18 The Election of 1968 Nixon had republican nomination backed law and order and a secret plan to end Vietnam War Nixon had republican nomination backed law and order and a secret plan to end Vietnam War Nixon acting presidential let Governor Spiro Agnew attack Humphrey Nixon acting presidential let Governor Spiro Agnew attack Humphrey quickly lead in public opinion polls quickly lead in public opinion polls Governor George Wallace of Alabama, ran as a third party further hurt democrats – America Independence Party Governor George Wallace of Alabama, ran as a third party further hurt democrats – America Independence Party

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20 George Wallace Agnew and Nixon

21 Appealed to blue-collar voters who resented radicals and anti-war activists Appealed to blue-collar voters who resented radicals and anti-war activists Humphrey closing in on Nixon but many democrats disillusioned and did not vote Humphrey closing in on Nixon but many democrats disillusioned and did not vote Nixon won 43.4% of popular vote to Humphrey’s 42.7 – electoral votes – 45 for Wallace Nixon won 43.4% of popular vote to Humphrey’s 42.7 – electoral votes – 45 for Wallace Democrats kept control of both houses of Congress – Republicans won White House Democrats kept control of both houses of Congress – Republicans won White House