A Year of Crises

What was it? What was it? Massive NVA offensive on major cities in South Vietnam including the capital, Saigon Massive NVA offensive on major cities in South Vietnam including the capital, Saigon Reaction – Reaction – Increased antiwar protests Increased antiwar protests Now a slim majority think Vietnam was a mistake and that the war could not be won Now a slim majority think Vietnam was a mistake and that the war could not be won

Anti-War Views (April 4, 1967) Anti-War Views (April 4, 1967) Makes speech outlining his opposition to the Vietnam War Makes speech outlining his opposition to the Vietnam War Poor People’s Campaign (1968) Poor People’s Campaign (1968) King believed that poverty led to violence, wanted to end all economic injustice, proposes a new march on Washington, travels country to gain support King believed that poverty led to violence, wanted to end all economic injustice, proposes a new march on Washington, travels country to gain support April 3 – April 3 – “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech, seen as being prophetic about his death “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech, seen as being prophetic about his deathI’ve been to the mountaintop” speechI’ve been to the mountaintop” speech April 4 – Link April 4 – LinkLink King shot with a high-powered rifle on the balcony of his motel King shot with a high-powered rifle on the balcony of his motel

Events Events Events James Earl Ray – man accused & convicted of killing MLK James Earl Ray – man accused & convicted of killing MLK Reaction – Reaction – A nation mourns, huge funeral procession, riots erupt in 124 cities, 5,500 troops needed to stop the violence A nation mourns, huge funeral procession, riots erupt in 124 cities, 5,500 troops needed to stop the violence RFK Speech RFK Speech RFK Speech RFK Speech

Eugene McCarthy – Eugene McCarthy – Anti-war candidate in 1968, almost beat LBJ in primary, showed vulnerability of President Anti-war candidate in 1968, almost beat LBJ in primary, showed vulnerability of President Decision – Decision – Decides to run for President, campaign got boost when LBJ decides not to run (March 31) Decides to run for President, campaign got boost when LBJ decides not to run (March 31) RFK – the Candidate RFK – the Candidatethe Candidatethe Candidate Years Since JFK’s Assassination – Years Since JFK’s Assassination – Reached out to different groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, poor whites) Reached out to different groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, poor whites) Against the War – Against the War – Morally & politically opposed, critical of LBJ for not financing programs at home Morally & politically opposed, critical of LBJ for not financing programs at home New Hope – New Hope – Seen as the new hope to finish what brother started Seen as the new hope to finish what brother started

California Primary – RFK wins key victory, makes victory speech California Primary – RFK wins key victory, makes victory speech California Primary California Primary Sirhan Sirhan – Sirhan Sirhan – Palestinian, shot RFK as he made his way through food prep room at hotel, dies day later at hospital on June 6 Palestinian, shot RFK as he made his way through food prep room at hotel, dies day later at hospital on June 6 Reaction – Reaction – seen as the end of hopes for reform and change seen as the end of hopes for reform and change

Hubert Humphrey – VP for LBJ, advocate of social justice & civil rights, privately opposed LBJ’s Vietnam Policy BUT publicly supported it – Why? Hubert Humphrey – VP for LBJ, advocate of social justice & civil rights, privately opposed LBJ’s Vietnam Policy BUT publicly supported it – Why? “Dump the Hump” – anti-war democrats harassed Humphrey “Dump the Hump” – anti-war democrats harassed Humphrey Humphrey Heckled Humphrey Heckled Humphrey Heckled Humphrey Heckled Party Divided – Party Divided – Democratic Party was split between Humphrey & McCarthy Democratic Party was split between Humphrey & McCarthy Richard Daley – Richard Daley – Democratic mayor of Chicago, did not like radicals, peace marchers, or hippies Democratic mayor of Chicago, did not like radicals, peace marchers, or hippies Protected convention hall with barb wire & chain link fence Protected convention hall with barb wire & chain link fence

Demonstrations - Link – Demonstrations - Link –Link Link Police order them to leave, tear gas & clubs, move in on crowd, several violent confrontations, police beat everyone & anyone Police order them to leave, tear gas & clubs, move in on crowd, several violent confrontations, police beat everyone & anyone “The Whole World Is Watching” “The Whole World Is Watching” Much of violence was seen on TV Much of violence was seen on TV Demonstrators chanted this as they were beaten Demonstrators chanted this as they were beaten Nomination – Nomination – Humphrey gets nomination, but party is in ruins & divided Humphrey gets nomination, but party is in ruins & divided

Republicans – Richard Nixon Republicans – Richard Nixon VP – Spiro Agnew (Gov. of MD) – attacked Humphrey VP – Spiro Agnew (Gov. of MD) – attacked Humphrey Ran on – law & order, secret plan to get out of Vietnam Ran on – law & order, secret plan to get out of Vietnam Refused to Debate Humphrey – Why? Refused to Debate Humphrey – Why? Vietnam Ad / Leadership / The One Vietnam Ad / Leadership / The One Vietnam Ad LeadershipThe One Vietnam Ad LeadershipThe One Democrats – Hubert Humphrey Democrats – Hubert Humphrey VP – Edmund Muskie (VP) from Maine VP – Edmund Muskie (VP) from Maine Nixon’s Accomplishments Ad / Nixon Shift Ad / Type of Man to be president Nixon’s Accomplishments Ad / Nixon Shift Ad / Type of Man to be president Nixon’s Accomplishments Ad Nixon Shift AdType of Man to be president Nixon’s Accomplishments Ad Nixon Shift AdType of Man to be president American Ind. – George Wallace American Ind. – George Wallace Conservative, against forced integration – Campaign Ad Conservative, against forced integration – Campaign Ad Campaign Ad Campaign Ad

Results Results Results Importance - marks beginning of rise of Conservatives & Republican rule Importance - marks beginning of rise of Conservatives & Republican rule