Vietnam+notes

1968-huge turning points in Vietnam and the Civil rights movement.

Leading up to 1968 > Viet cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam.
 * No clear cut winner in the war.
 * Increase in American forces in SE Asia
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viet_Cong
 * US tries to "pacify" South Vietnam.Telling them to be Democratic.

LBJ Remained Deterined. > McNamara sees "a light at the end of the tunnel" > Overall, the public still supported America in Vietnam.
 * Optimistic reports are sent back.
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McNamara
 * http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_public%27s_opinion_of_the_Vietnam_War_and_how_did_it_affect_Vietnam_veterans_when_they_returned_home

The Tet Offensive
 * An attack on U.S. Strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the VC.
 * An attack by the North Vietnamins.
 * The Americans won every attack so the US won it on the battlefield.
 * The fighting went on for a month.
 * People are founding out about this war by television and media.
 * As a result LBJ struggles Congress cuts his Great society budget.
 * US involvement in the war is openly criticized.
 * [[image:data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAgEASABIAAD/4QN2RXhpZgAA//beW7/eoLDhaCdWYH0nDA6HuNSphRSrkMXJtjySJ9KANrXS5kT70eP8ALT/h7ioDBQFA8F//]The U.S was with the guy with the gun. Americans didn't agree with this.
 * New Defense Secretary states that the war seems unwinnable.

PUblic Opinion Changes
 * The nation turns on Johnson
 * Johnson speaks about halting bombing.
 * LBJ says he's not going to run again for President.

April 4th
 * Increase in U.S. Fatalities
 * Martin Luther King was shot and died.
 * Result are riots in every major city. Cities burn.
 * Bobby Kennedy gives an amazing speech and is nominated.
 * Bobby Kennedy gets assassinated.

DNC
 * MCarthy and Hubert H Humphrey are now the two nominees.
 * Chicago police beat protestors.
 * Wallace is now running for president. He agrees with segregation.
 * Nixon wins.