1968+Notes

Why was 1968 such a turning point in the Vietnam Era?

 * Context
 * 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 sent back
 * McNamara sees "a light at the end of the tunnel"
 * overall, public still supported America in Vietnam
 * The Tet Offensive
 * an attack on US strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by VC
 * Tet- Vietnam New Year celebration
 * A new type of war
 * "living-room war"
 * eventually developed into a US victory
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">shook the public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">public no longer supporting Vietnam War anymore
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">famous picture-general of South Vietnam-fired general. POWER OF MEDIA
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Election Year
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">LBJ struggles
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Congress outs his Great Society budget
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">public opinion changes
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">US involvement in was is openly criticized
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">new Defense Secretary states war seems unwinnable
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">nation turns on Johnson
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Johnson speaks about hating the bombing and...
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">LBJ dropped out--wont accept another term
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">after MLK assassination-violence arises
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Bobby Kennedy runs for democratic party
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">wins lots of primilies
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Bobby Kennedy is assassinated
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Hubert Humphery nominated for Democratic party
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Richard Nixon nominated for Republican party
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Wallace nominated for president
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Richard Nixon wins
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">LEADS TO ANTIWAR MOVEMENT