1968+Turning+Point!

Leading up to 1968:
 * No clear cut sinner in the war
 * increase in American forces in SE Asia
 * Viet Cong proved to be the guiding force in South Vietnam
 * US tries to "Pacify" South Vietnam

Lyndon Johnson Remained Determined
 * Optimistic reports are sent back
 * McNamera sees "a light at the end of the tunnel"
 * Overall, the public still supported America in Vietnam

The Tet Offensive-
 * Turning point of Vietnam
 * an attack on the U.S. strongholds throughout South Vietnam by the Viet Cong
 * Tet was the Lunar New Year in Vietnam
 * Tet offensive failed
 * It was reported on live Television
 * Eventually developed into a U.S. victory
 * shook the public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat
 * LBJ struggles- Congress cuts his Great Society Budget
 * U.S. involvement in the war is openly criticized
 * New Defense Secretary states that the war seems unwinnable

Public Opinion Changes
 * The Nation Turns on Johnson
 * Johnson speaks about halting the bombing and not running for President again
 * MLK is assassinated which causes violence everywhere and a race crisis
 * Robert Kennedy is shot and also assassinated

The 1968 Election
 * Hubert H. Humphrey Democrat
 * Nixon Republican
 * George Wallace
 * Nixon gets 43% of the popular vote
 * Nixon becomes President and he wants Peace and Honor