1968 in U.S. History - Essay Example

1968 in U.S. History Introduction The year 1968 is regarded as one of the most vital years in American history, marked as the most pivotal and turbulent period in this history. It was a flashpoint for most of the cultural, political, and social transformations for which the entire 1960s decade is known. The period is characterized by the entrenching of the U.S in an unpopular war in Vietnam, while violence, experimentation, unrest, and outspokenness spread throughout the nation. Leaders were assassinated on an outwardly regular basis, the Civil Rights Movement got more powers, and psychedelic music and social experimentation were rampant in most parts of the country. Many scholars view this year as shameful, divisive, or sometimes as a year that galvanized change in America. 1968 was an apex of the gradual upheaval of the 1960s. Tension that had been accumulating for the past years ultimately came to head, across a whole year of violence, revolution and grief. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated; unrest was rampant in Democratic National Convention, as the media covered the Tet Offensive to expose the horrible account of the Vietnam War. The fighting in the Saigon streets during the Tet Offensive or New Year made the Vietnam too real. According to one UPI reporter, the Vietnam in this year meant a first look at death. Photographers scampered from building to building gathering photos on the fighting in the outcasts of Saigon. The North Vietnamese communist groups’ launch of the Tet Offensive in January and its success against South Vietnamese and U.S troops caused discontent and shock across the home front and marked the most intense times of anti-war disputes to date. Apart from being the most difficult and saddest year in America, 1968 was also a presidential election year. President Lyndon Johnson was on the forefront in promoting civil rights legislation but he had also greatly increased American possibility in involving in the Vietnam War. It was therefore not easy for him to leave the White House without protesters being involved; he no longer had majority support and thus announced that he would not contest for the presidency. Eugene McCarthy, a senator from Minnesota engaged in these elections and succeeded in the primaries. Following his success, New York’s Senator Robert Kennedy decided to enter the campaign too. For a long time then, Kennedy had served in one of the highest legal offices in the nation as Attorney General in the administration of his late brother, John Kennedy. Upon his announcement to run for presidency, most citizens were very pleased with his massage, where he promised to end the Vietnam war, and to reduce racism and poverty both in America and in the whole world. Another serious event was noted in April fourth, the same year; Martin Luther King, America’s top civil rights leader was shot to death in Tennessee. He was helping to negotiate a strike between the management and sanitation employees. This made Kennedy to deliver a speech to black citizens, convincing them that what had happened was against the wishes of Americans, since they disliked hatred, lawlessness, and violence, but embraced wisdom, love, and justice. However, these words did not calm down the black community. Their leader, Luther had peacefully led civil rights movement, yet his death cultivated violence in more than one hundred cities nationally. Soldiers were called upon to settle the riots, and hundreds of citizens lost their lives or were injured. As the primary elections went on, Robert Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy tried to show how their ideologies differed, but voters could not notice the differences. They both opposed the Vietnam War; sought enhancements in civil rights; and both promoted social reforms. Kennedy led in primaries in Nebraska and Indiana, while McCarthy led in Oregon. California had the next big primaries, and Kennedy stated that he would withdraw if he was defeated in this significant contest. He won the elections and later made his victory speech in one of the hotels in Los Angeles. On his way out of the hotel, a Palestinian refugee by the name Sirhan Bishara shot Robert Kennedy dead blaming him for the problems facing the Palestinians. After the assassination of Kennedy, the Republicans and Democrats held their nominating conventions during the summer times of 1968. In the conventions, Eugene McCarthy was not chosen, rather, Hubert Humphrey, a more traditional contestant was chosen by the Republicans while Richard Nixon was for the Democrats. The two candidates supported U.S’s involvement in the war in Vietnam, despite the fact that they had promised to end it during their campaigns. Most voters did not get the differences between the two, but Humphrey was less influential, and on the day of elections, Richard Nixon carried the flag, just about to become the president. This was a position that Nixon desired for a long time. The presidency was to be the turning point; to change American government in the future years. Regardless of the dark days of the year 1968, there came a happy ending when the Apollo 8 became more of a success and a consolation from a perspective of the public. Apollo 8, America’s second manned space program was launched on 21st of December, 1968. It became the foremost manned space craft to depart Earth orbit, arrive at the moon, orbit and come back safely. Three American astronauts set a record as the first humans to tour beyond low Earth orbit, first to view planet Earth wholly, and most important, the first to observe the far side of the moon. Conclusion Indeed, 1968 was a turning point in American social and political history. The key events include the death of Luther King Jn., a proponent of peaceful protest, and an activist against racial intolerance; Robert Kennedy’s assassination; violent protests against the Vietnam War; and the victory of Nixon for the “silent majority.” The U.S launched three heroes who are associated with the most impressive achievements of the world to date. It marked the foundation of the end of idealism that characterized the 1960s decade. The events made 1968 a year of seismic political and social change worldwide. From the growing civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements in America, revolutions and protests and the foremost comprehensive coverage of war and resulting famine in the African continent, the world was not to remain the same. Read More