The 1960s are widely-regarded by many historians as one of the most monumental decades of the 20th century for America. The 1960s began with the election of President John F. Kennedy who was the first president born in the 20th century. President John F. Kennedy represented a spirit of hope for many young Americans at the time. Unfortunately, the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 left many citizens eerie, concerned about a future that was unforeseen. John F. Kennedy’s successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, would go on to displease many Americans through his time in office as he sent more and more American troops to the war that was taking place in Vietnam. By the time the 1968 election came, foreign policy would be a key subject for
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After hearing the news that Johnson is dropping out of the race, his Vice President Hubert Humphrey decides to take his spot. Out of the three Democratic nominees, only Humphrey supported the idea of sending troops to Vietnam while both Kennedy and McCarthy favored an anti-war policy. Despite their similarity in beliefs, McCarthy and Kennedy were not on good terms because McCarthy was annoyed that he was the first one to challenge President Johnson on his stance on the war and now Kennedy wanted all the glory from him. Heading into the Democratic National Convention, Kennedy and McCarthy were in a close race for the most delegates until Robert Kennedy was assassinated which resulted in many of Kennedy’s supporters switching sides over to McCarthy and supporting him. On the day of the Democratic National Convention, many anti-war supporters began protesting outside the convention. While the police and protestors went at it in a violent confrontation, the Democrats had selected their nominee and his name was Hubert Humphrey. As far the Republic National Convention goes, Richard Nixon (former Vice President who lost 1960 Presidential election), …show more content…
George Wallace campaigned on a segregationist platform and had plans/beliefs similar to a popularist. Richard Nixon campaigned on a “platform designed to reach the “silent majority” of the middle class and working-class Americans” (Williams 1) and had plans to bring back “law and order”, end the war draft, and end the Vietnam war. Hubert Humphrey campaigned on continuing and expanding Johnson’s great society welfare programs. Despite having three candidates for the election, it was clear to everyone within a few months that the election would ultimately end up between Nixon and Humphrey because Wallace simply didn’t have enough support compared to the other two. Some of Wallace’s supporters realizing that he didn’t have a shot to win switched sides and supported Humphrey. Another time Humphrey got extra support was a few days before the election when President Johnson announced that “US will be rolling back its efforts in the Vietnam War” (Logevall 1). For the most part, Nixon had a commanding lead at the beginning but as the election drew close Humphrey with the support previously mentioned managed to comeback. With that being said, election night came by and no one seemed to have a clue who would win. The winner of the 1968 election is finally revealed as Richard Nixon with 301 electoral college votes defeats Hubert Humphrey (191 electoral college votes) and George
After hearing the news that Johnson is dropping out of the race, his Vice President Hubert Humphrey decides to take his spot. Out of the three Democratic nominees, only Humphrey supported the idea of sending troops to Vietnam while both Kennedy and McCarthy favored an anti-war policy. Despite their similarity in beliefs, McCarthy and Kennedy were not on good terms because McCarthy was annoyed that he was the first one to challenge President Johnson on his stance on the war and now Kennedy wanted all the glory from him. Heading into the Democratic National Convention, Kennedy and McCarthy were in a close race for the most delegates until Robert Kennedy was assassinated which resulted in many of Kennedy’s supporters switching sides over to McCarthy and supporting him. On the day of the Democratic National Convention, many anti-war supporters began protesting outside the convention. While the police and protestors went at it in a violent confrontation, the Democrats had selected their nominee and his name was Hubert Humphrey. As far the Republic National Convention goes, Richard Nixon (former Vice President who lost 1960 Presidential election), …show more content…
George Wallace campaigned on a segregationist platform and had plans/beliefs similar to a popularist. Richard Nixon campaigned on a “platform designed to reach the “silent majority” of the middle class and working-class Americans” (Williams 1) and had plans to bring back “law and order”, end the war draft, and end the Vietnam war. Hubert Humphrey campaigned on continuing and expanding Johnson’s great society welfare programs. Despite having three candidates for the election, it was clear to everyone within a few months that the election would ultimately end up between Nixon and Humphrey because Wallace simply didn’t have enough support compared to the other two. Some of Wallace’s supporters realizing that he didn’t have a shot to win switched sides and supported Humphrey. Another time Humphrey got extra support was a few days before the election when President Johnson announced that “US will be rolling back its efforts in the Vietnam War” (Logevall 1). For the most part, Nixon had a commanding lead at the beginning but as the election drew close Humphrey with the support previously mentioned managed to comeback. With that being said, election night came by and no one seemed to have a clue who would win. The winner of the 1968 election is finally revealed as Richard Nixon with 301 electoral college votes defeats Hubert Humphrey (191 electoral college votes) and George