1968+Michael

Leading up to 1968: 1968 was an election year and an Olympic Year. media type="youtube" key="MnqMTcdbGpg" height="251" width="336" There was no clear cut winner in the war yet. There was an increase in American forces in SE Asia. Viet Cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam. The United States tried to "pacify" South Vietnam. They are trying to get the small, primitive villages to become democratic. Optimistic reports are sent back. [|Overall, the public still supported war in Vietnam.]

The Tet offensive was an attack on U.S. strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the Viet Cong. During the Tet lunar new-year, the Viet Cong launched their largest attack so far, when they attacked all the largest cities and towns in South Vietnam. It failed militarily but provided the United States public with worry in their hearts. The two forces were mired in stalemate.

media type="youtube" key="uLtmBu7cNwo" height="251" width="336" Lyndon Baines Johnson Struggles: Congress cuts his Great Society budget. The U.S involvement in the war is openly criticized. The New Defense Secretary states that the war seems un winnable.

media type="youtube" key="2-FibDxpkb0" height="239" width="322" The U.S. fatalities were going up in Vietnam. The nation turns on Johnson. Johnson speaks about halting bombing and... then, April 4th April 4th: Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and public outrage grew. Robert F. Kennedy was shot after winning the California primary on June 5th, 1968. The 1968 election was chaos even before the fact.