Vietnam+War+notes

__**1968- Why was 1968 such a turning point in the Vietnam Era?**__
-No clear cut winner int he 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

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

-an attack on U.S. strongholds throughout Southern Vietnam by the Viet Cong -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 -**public opinion changes**: US involvement in the war is openly criticized, new defense secretary states that the way seems unwinnable, the nation turns on Johnson, Johnson speaks about bombing, Johnson announces that he is no going to run in the 1968 election
 * The TET Offensive**

-result of the assassination: riots in every major city, reactions from everywhere, someone has to step up, Bobby Kennedy is pushing for peace and was friends with Martin Luther King Jr., **assassination of Bobby Kennedy** , -many protesters at the democratic convention, mayor had to call police -Richard Nixon becomes president of the United States, this is when antiwar protest starts to happen,
 * -assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.**