The 1968 Election, Nixon, and the Vietnam War

Election of 1968

  • Considered one of the most important elections in US history, comparable to the election of 1860.
  • Dramatic changes within the Democratic Party.
  • In 1964, Democrats were dominant after Lyndon Johnson's victory, but by 1968, the party was collapsing.
  • The Vietnam War significantly impacted the Democratic Party, as it was largely seen as a Democratic responsibility under Johnson and Kennedy.
  • Growing discontent among Americans regarding the Democratic Party's social reform policies.
  • Lyndon Johnson's decision not to seek reelection due to the Vietnam War's impact on his credibility and popularity.

Key Figures and Events

  • George Wallace:
    • Southern Democrat and Governor of Alabama.
    • A segregationist, reminiscent of the Dixiecrats of 1948.
    • Campaign slogan: "segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever."
    • Represented hardcore social conservatism, which clashed with the Democratic Party's direction.
    • Formed the American Independent Party to support his candidacy.
  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination:
    • A major blow to the Democratic Party, which championed civil rights.
    • The loss of King made it more difficult for Democrats to promote civil rights amidst a conservative backlash.
  • Robert Kennedy's Assassination:
    • Younger brother of John F. Kennedy and a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.
    • Supported New Deal-type programs and liberal social activism (civil rights, feminism).
    • Advocated for immediate withdrawal from Vietnam.
    • Assassinated due to protests against US policy in the Middle East.
  • Eugene McCarthy:
    • Challenged Lyndon Johnson, advocating hardcore liberal policies.
    • Popular among hippies, similar to the Green Party.

Democratic National Convention of 1968

  • The Democratic Party was deeply divided with Southerners against Northerners, and disagreements on candidate preferences.
  • Protests in Chicago, met with police violence ordered by Democratic Mayor Richard Daley.
  • The convention symbolized the fracturing of the New Deal coalition due to social changes, the Vietnam War, and differing political preferences.
  • Senator Abraham Rebikoff criticized the police violence, leading to a racist and offensive outburst from Mayor Daley.
  • The convention highlighted the deep fractures within America and the Democratic Party.
  • The Democrats nominated Hubert Humphrey, Johnson's vice president, who advocated for continuing Johnson's policies and a moderate stance on social issues.

Republican Opportunity: Richard Nixon

  • Republicans saw an opportunity in the Democratic Party's turmoil.
  • Richard Nixon, the failed candidate from 1960, rebranded himself, learning from his past mistakes.
  • Nixon leveraged the conservative backlash to gain support.
  • His campaign advisor emphasized understanding who hates who in American politics.
  • Nixon reached out to country music singers (like Johnny Cash), religious figures (like Billy Graham), and working-class interests (by feigning interest in football).
  • He promised law and order, referencing riots and social unrest.
  • Nixon claimed to have a secret plan to win in Vietnam.

Election Results and Implications

  • Nixon won the election, but it was a close one in terms of the popular vote.
  • George Wallace received a significant number of votes, particularly in the Deep South, appealing to segregationists and the white working class.
  • Nixon recognized the opportunity to cultivate support from the white working class, suburbanites, and Deep South segregationists.
  • He aimed to crush forces against him using questionable methods, contributing to his eventual downfall.
  • Nixon sought to dismantle the Great Society and the New Deal.

Nixon's "Imperial Presidency"

  • Nixon's presidency was characterized by paranoia and a concentration of power among a few close advisors.
  • Key advisors included John Ehrlichman, HR Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger (National Security Advisor, handling foreign policy).
  • These advisors operated within the Executive Office, avoiding Senate confirmation.
  • Nixon installed tapes throughout the White House to record conversations.

New Federalism

  • Nixon aimed to return to the federalism of the revolutionary era, reducing the power of the federal government.
  • He attempted to cut taxes, but Congress resisted due to deficit concerns.
  • Deregulation: Nixon sought to reduce or eliminate regulations on businesses.
  • Impoundment: Nixon refused to spend money allocated by Congress, a practice later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
  • Court Packing: Nixon appointed several conservative Supreme Court justices, including Warren Burger, Lewis Powell, and William Rehnquist.
  • He aimed to give states control over social programs, allowing conservative states to dismantle them.
  • Similarities to Warren Harding's policies in the 1920s (trickle-down theory, deregulation, court packing).

Foreign Policy Under Nixon: Vietnamization and Beyond

  • Nixon's secret plan for Vietnam ultimately failed.
  • Vietnamization: Nixon initiated a program to transfer the war effort back to the South Vietnamese.
  • Secret Bombing of Cambodia: Nixon secretly bombed Cambodia, which was being used by North Vietnamese forces.
  • This led to domestic protests and government leaks regarding the body count and the My Lai Massacre.
  • Moratorium Day Protests: Massive protests occurred across the country.
  • Invasion of Cambodia and Laos: Nixon expanded the war, leading to further protests.
  • Kent State and Jackson State Shootings: National Guard troops killed students during protests.
  • Pentagon Papers: Daniel Ellsberg leaked classified documents revealing government misconduct and deception related to the Vietnam War.
  • The New York Times published the Pentagon Papers despite government attempts at censorship.
  • The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the New York Times, affirming freedom of the press.
  • The Gulf of Tonkin incident was revealed to be fabricated, undermining support for the war.
  • Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, limiting the president's power in Vietnam.
  • Nixon announced a withdrawal from Vietnam (the Nixon Doctrine or Guam Doctrine).
  • Nixon bombed North Vietnam again, escalating the conflict despite promises of withdrawal.
  • War Powers Act: Passed by Congress to limit the president's war powers, requiring congressional approval for military actions (48 hours to notify, 60 days to approve).
  • US troops were withdrawn, and Saigon fell, marking the end of the Vietnam War and a communist victory.

Impacts of Vietnam War

  • Devastation of Vietnam with millions of casualties.
  • Loss of American lives and questioning of the war's purpose.
  • Erosion of trust in government due to deception and the Watergate scandal.
  • Destruction of the New Deal coalition and division within the Democratic Party.
  • Growing skepticism about the Cold War and American foreign policy.

Nixon's New Direction in Foreign Policy

  • Nixon recognized the need for a new approach to foreign policy.
  • Shuttle Diplomacy: Nixon and Kissinger used secret negotiations and direct engagement with foreign leaders.
  • Realpolitik: Reassessing political situations, reconsidering existing alliances, and playing different factions against each other.
  • Detente: Relaxing Cold War tensions through diplomacy and engagement.
  • Nixon's visit to China in 1972 to reopen negotiations and establish trade ties with Communist China.
  • Meeting with Mao Zedong to reshape the foreign policy landscape.
  • Nixon's visit to Moscow to ease tensions and encourage cooperation with the Soviet Union.
  • SALT Treaty: Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) with the Soviet Union to limit nuclear weapons.
  • ABM Treaty: Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to limit missile defense systems.

Yom Kippur War and the OPEC Oil Embargo

  • The Yom Kippur War heightened tensions between Israel and its neighbors, particularly Syria and Egypt.
  • America supported Israel, leading to resentment in the Middle East.
  • OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) imposed an oil embargo on the United States in response to American support for Israel.
  • The embargo triggered an energy crisis in the US, leading to economic hardship and policy changes.
  • The need for greater access to oil influenced American foreign and domestic policies.
  • The energy crisis contributed to the economic struggles of the 1970s.