1968: The Year America Fractured—Vietnam, Civil Rights, Assassinations, and the Election

1968 was a hinge year in US history—domestic turbulence rooted in three converging crises:

1. Vietnam War Escalation & Opposition

• Tet Offensive (Jan 31): Shocked US public; proved war unwinnable at current cost. Support plummeted.
• My Lai Massacre (Mar, revealed 1969): Moral injury.
• Draft resistance, campus protests, "Credibility Gap" (government vs. reality).

2. Civil Rights & Racial Reckoning

• MLK Assassination (Apr 4, Memphis): Sparked 125+ city riots (DC, Chicago, Baltimore, KC)—worst since Civil War. 43 dead, 3,500 injured, 27,000 arrested.
• Fair Housing Act (Apr 11): Passed in riot aftermath.
• Black Power, Poor People's Campaign – shifting tactics.

3. Political Violence & Realignment

• RFK Assassination (Jun 5, LA): After CA primary win; ended liberal coalition hope.
• Democratic Convention (Aug, Chicago): Police vs. protesters ("The whole world is watching"); Humphrey nominated.
• Nixon Elected (Nov 5): "Law and Order," "Silent Majority," Southern Strategy. Wallace (AIP) takes 13.5% (Deep South).

Timeline of Key Dates

• Jan 31: Tet begins
• Feb 29: Kerner Commission report (white racism cause of riots)
• Apr 4: MLK killed
• Apr 11: Fair Housing Act; riots peak
• Jun 5: RFK killed
• Aug 26–29: Dem Convention chaos
• Nov 5: Nixon wins
• Dec 25: Christmas bombing pause (Paris talks)

1968 shattered consensus. Its fractures—race, war, truth, trust—still define American politics.