-
Media interacts with Vietnam war
As the battle progressed, public support began too decreased dramatically. The government was then accused of lying to the media. "The enemy's expectations are bankrupt... the end begins to come into view," General William Westmoreland said. Because Vietnam was the first televised conflict, millions of Americans saw American losses on television. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The agreement gave Johnson additional authority over the war, and he began to seek higher level of engagement. As a result, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee scheduled hearings in February 1965 to discover more about Vietnam. -
The beginning of teach-ins
In March 1965, Michigan University members organized a teach-in. They discussed Vietnam-related concerns and explained why they opposed the war. In May 1965, 122 institutions hosted national radio teach-ins, with over 100,000 antiwar demonstrators in attendance. -
Tet Offensive
The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched a big surprise attack on the United States on a Vietnamese holiday. They mostly targeted American bases and major cities in South Vietnam. After a month of warfare, America and South Vietnam were able to repel hostile soldiers while suffering heavy losses. -
President Johnsons announcement
In 1968, President Johnson made a statement that stunned the world. He announced his resignate from the 1968 presidential election. He stated on television,"I have concluded that I should not permit the presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year. Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President." -
MLK Assassination
Martin Luther King Jr. was fighting a tougher challenge at home while the war was going on. MLK was one of the most powerful figures in the Civil Rights Movement. Unfortunately, he was assassinated in Memphis by James Earl Ray. -
Kennedy's Assassination
JFK's brother was the Democratic Party's main presidential candidate in 1968. In the span of five years, John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. have all been assassinated. Robert Kennedy was assassinated two months after MLK was killed. Sirhan Sirhan, an Arabian nationalist, assassinated him. -
Democratic National Convention in Chicago
When violent protestors emerged in Chicago, the country was sickened. During this time, police at the Democratic Convention were acting violently. One of the reasons Nixon was elected president was because of this. Demonstrators taunted the police in a neighboring park, and the police acted improperly, all of which was broadcast on national television. -
Richard Nixon wins the election
Because Johnson refused to run for president again, the Republican candidate was Richard Nixon. He declared to the American people that he was running for the "quiet majority," those who did not participate in violent protests. -
26th amendment
The 18th Amendment, which was passed on March 23, 1971 and ratified on July 1st, gave American citizens 18 and older the right to vote.