AM

October 9th

Overview of 1968 and Political Upheaval

  • Introduction to the major events of 1968 and the emergence of the concept of the "silent majority."

  • The significance of the year 1968 as an unprecedented point of political and social upheaval.

Context and Political Climate

  • Current events drawing parallels to the upheaval of 1968.

    • President Trump's use of National Guard troops in major cities under his definition of crisis related to crime.

    • Comparison with LBJ's use of National Guard troops to protect civil rights activists.

    • Mention of historical context regarding violence and governance during civil rights movement.

1968: A Year of Turning Points

  • Made comparisons between the crises of 1968 and the current political climate.

  • Highlighted anti-war protests, crime in urban centers, and political assassinations as key aspects.

  • Emphasis on the Democratic Party's identity crisis and internal conflict.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination

  • Details surrounding the assassination:

    • Date and location: April 4, 1968, in Memphis during his support for striking sanitation workers.

    • King's political evolution towards opposition of the Vietnam War.

    • Immediate national reactions to his murder.

  • Consequences of his assassination:

    • Nations shocked leading to spasms of violence across various cities including…

    • New York

    • Newark, NJ

    • Baltimore, MD

    • Boston

    • Oakland

    • Chicago

    • Detroit

    • President Johnson's declaration of state of emergency calling in troops to restore order.

    • Johnson’s invocation of the Insurrection Act to mobilize the military.

The Holy Week Uprisings

  • Context of the uprisings following King's death:

    • Immediate violence and unrest in over 200 cities across the country.

    • Specific mention of incidents of extreme violence in Baltimore, MD, leading to state of emergency declared by its governor.

    • Number of people killed, injured, and arrested during these riots.

  • Reference to previous uprisings (Long Hot Summer of 1967) as a precursor to events of 1968:

    • Historical overview of race-related riots caused by systemic inequalities, police brutality, and poverty.

The Kerner Commission Report

  • Importance of the 1968 report by the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission):

    • Defined systemic inequalities as root causes of racial unrest (employment, police misconduct, housing segregation).

    • Critique of urban renewal policies exacerbating racial tensions.

  • Analysis of the timing of the report and its lack of consideration amidst concurrent national issues.

The 1968 Presidential Election

  • Overview of the election’s candidates and their implications:

    • Impact of the political climate on candidates such as Hubert Humphrey, Robert F. Kennedy, and Eugene McCarthy.

  • Discussion of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago:

    • Major factions within the Democratic Party including pro-Humphrey loyalists, anti-war challengers, and civil rights advocates.

    • The protests outside the convention highlighting tensions.

The Eventual Fallout

  • Richard Nixon’s successful positioning within the political landscape:

    • Message of law and order appealing to the Silent Majority.

    • Announcement of Nixon’s presidential platform contrasting against liberal chaos.

  • The impact of the election results, which saw Nixon form a new coalition of suburban voters disenchanted with the Democrats.

  • Analysis of the 1968 geography of voting and implications for the South and suburban politics.

Strategies and Reactions of the Silent Majority

  • Nixon’s use of a “color blind” political language to appeal to the suburban middle class.

  • Discussion on the growth of suburban areas and subsequent rise of middle-class political ideology resistant to civil rights reforms.

  • Examination of how suburban protests against federal mandates for school integration developed.

Conclusion: Lasting Legacy of 1968

  • Historical significance of 1968 as a critical turning point in American politics.

    • Acceleration of existing political, social, and racial tensions.

    • Formation of new alliances and divisions within political parties.

  • The long-term impact on the trajectory of American politics continuing into subsequent decades.

  • Reflection on racial tensions and civil rights issues rooted during that tumultuous period and their relevance to contemporary events.

Questions and Discussions

  • Open floor for questions on the lecture and pending matters regarding future assessments and study guides.

  • Important themes to consider: political realignment, law and order dynamics, emergence of the Silent Majority, anti-war sentiments, and race relations amidst evolving political landscapes.