1968

= 1968 = =**WHY WAS 1968 SUCH A TURNING POINT IN THE VIETNAM ERA?**=

-no clear cut winner in the war -increase i American forces in SE Asia -Viet cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam -US tries to "pacify" South Vietnam
 * Leading up to 1968:**

-"The Great Society" -optimistic reports are sent back -overall the public supported America in Vietnam
 * LBJ Remained Determined:**

-an attack on US strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the VC -few places in South Vietnam were spared -Tet was a US victory, but VC gained political victory breaking into US Embassy -shook the American public who thought they were winning the war
 * The Tet Offensive:**

-congress cuts programs of the "Great Society"
 * LBJ Struggles:**

-Us involvement in the war is openly criticized -people turn against Johnson -Johnson claims to not be an option for re-election -death tolls soared under his presidency
 * Public Opinions:**

-Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated Memphis, TN -riots across US break out -race crisis; king is mourned throughout nation -JFK's brother Bobby Kennedy takes charge -Bobby gives speech in California, and is shot dead
 * Assassination:**

-McCarthy vs. Humphrey -Humphrey is nominated -Nixon and Agnew (Republican) -Wallace (independent) -Nixon wins with 43% of the votes -Wallace segregationist wins 5 southern states
 * 1968 Election**


 * Antiwar Protest:**