Vietnam+1968



I could probabaly spend an entire week (or more) on 1968, and still leave out some important information about his key year in American history. Create a page on your notebook called "1968" and take some notes today focusing on this key question - Why was 1968 such a turning point in the Vietnam Era? As and after you take notes, make them powerful, engaging, interactive, and hyper by adding relative images, maps, and links. At the end of the notes, come up with some questions - both about the information discussed in class and questions about what will happen in the next few years! Your notes will be evaluated ... Do you have complete and detailed information? Are your notes organized, with main topics identified and set apart from each other? Did you add relevant images and links to support the information? Did you pose some questions?

LEADING UP TO 1968...
 * No clear cut winner in the war
 * Increase in American forces in SE Asia.
 * Viet Cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam
 * US tries to :pacify" South Vietnam.

LBJ REMAINED DETERMINED
 * Optimistic reports are sent back
 * McNamara sees "a light at the end of the tunnel"
 * Overall, the public still supported America in Vietnam.
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McNamara
 * http://www.senet.com~jimxc/Politics/Mitakes/Vietnam_support.html

THE TET OFFENSIVE
 * an attack on U.S.strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the VC.
 * the offensive was televised on TV.
 * Everyone listened Walter Cronkite.
 * LBJ said that if he loses Cronkite supporting the war, he loses the American people's support.
 * LBJ struggles - Congress cuts his Great Society budget.
 * US involvement in the war is openly criticized.
 * new Defense Secretary states that the war seems unwindable.
 * [[image:Tet_Offensive.jpg width="519" height="283"]]

LBJ SAYS
 * Public opinion changes for LBJ.
 * LBJ says that won't go for reelection for a second term.
 * People are worried who there leader is going to be now.
 * http://www.uiowa.edu/commstud/resources/nonverbal/lbj.htm
 * [[image:johnsontreatment01.jpg]]

APRIL 4
 * Increasing casualties
 * MLK was assassinated on balcony of motel.
 * Riots in every major city including Milwaukee.



RFK
 * Bobby Kennedy steps up as the leader.
 * Bobby Kennedy is assasinated after a speech
 * Leads to a lot of chaos.
 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Rfk_assassination.jpg/220px-Rfk_assassination.jpg width="220" height="252"]]

DNC
 * Democrats nominate McCarthy
 * Republicans nominate
 * Mayor of Chicago orders the police to beat the protestors, and was all on the TV
 * Chaos everywhere in the US.

The 1968 Election
 * Nixon becomes president, but barely does.
 * Chaos at the convention.
 * All of it is televised.
 * [[image:350px-ElectoralCollege1968.svg.png]]