15- Vietnam topples Johnson

Tet, 1968 In late January of 1968 during Tet (Vietnamese new year) the communists launched a violent attack. This was a time where we were under the impression they were laying low and licking their wounds. They attacked 27 major South Vietnamese cities including the capitol. The Viet Cong was eventually defeated but not without many losses and political gains for the Viet Cong. Following this American military leaders requested 200,000 more troops. American opposition to this war continued to grow and grow putting Johnson under a lot of distress and confliction as he had to deal with American casualties

The democratic party Eugene McCarthy, a senator from Minnesota, emerged as a contender for the 1968 democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy was a poet and a devout catholic. He used the campaign slogan “Clean for Gene” and managed to gain 42% of the democratic vote in New Hampshire but 4 days later Senator Robert F. Kennedy (NY) decide to enter the competition as well. Kennedy was the younger brother of previously loved president JFK. He had the same charisma and strong leadership presence.

Lyndon B. Johnson Johnson dropped out of the presidential race after announcing that he would scale back American troops in Vietnam and slow down the bombings. He hoped his actions would help to reunify the nation. Johnson sacrificed himself to preserve the military status quo and allow the United States to maintain the maximum acceptable level of military activity in vietnam while also trying to negotiate settlements. North Vietnam did agree to meet in Paris for negotiations but this progress to come to a settlement was very slow going.

Source 1 O- Saigon, South Vietnam, 1968, Eddie Adams C- Shows a vietnamese man being hauled away amidst Tet celebrations P- Reinforces images of the unnecessary violent actions taken by the Viet Cong. V- Primary source image of the open violence in the streets of Vietnam L- Nothing is known regarding the man being captured in the picture.

Source 2 O- Vietnam war C- Political cartoon showing how Johnson allocated much more time and funding to the war than to the American people. P- The cartoon is used to highlight Johnson’s disregard for the well being of American citizens. V- Provides insight into the POV of Americans upon Johnson and the war. L- Author, publisher and timer period are unknown

Source 3 O- New York Times, 1968 C- Headline announcing Johnson won’t run P- The newspaper describes Johnson’s reasons for not running and makes people wonder who the candidate will be now. V- Primary, reliable source, emphasizes the magnitude of Johnson's decision L- The author of paper is unavailable

Questions Evaluate why Johnson thought his decision to not run in the election would help reunite the american people. Argue why Tet was the smartest time for North Vietnam to launch their attack.