Describe the social and political turmoil of 1968;include the assassinations of MLK Jr, Robert Kennedy and the events surrounding the DNC
MLK assassination – who killed him, why
King was standing on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel, where he and associates were staying, when a sniper’s bullet struck him in the neck. He was rushed to a hospital, where he as pronounced dead about an hour later. James Earl Ray killed Dr. King but it is still a debate as to the exact reason why he did so. Evidence suggests that he did not like the integration policies MLK was implementing.
MLK assassination Riots – when, where, why, what happened, affects
Washington DC, Chicago, Baltimore, Kansas City, Detroit, New York City, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati are just a few of the cities where groups of MLK supporters rioted. In 1968, after MLK Jr.’s assassination people across the country were left hopeless as they fought for racial justice. Rioters marched the streets and over 14,000 federal guards were called to protect certain cities where riots were must prevalent.
Robert Kennedy Assassination – Who killed him, why, what role did Robert play politically at that time
Robert Kennedy was a Senator at the time. He was staying at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. Kennedy was shot several times by the 22 year old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan and he died a day later.
1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention (DNC) riots – causes what happened result
At the DNC in Chicago, tens of thousands of Vietnam protesters battled police in the streets, while the Democratic Party fell apart over America’s stance on Vietnam. For the first time, many Americans came out in a hostile manner over the Vietnam War. This led to people no longer giving the national government unrestrained power to pursue its Cold War policies at the expense of the safety of the U.S. Citizens.
Reflection
The information I found most interesting and the information that I know will stick with me is what I learned about the DNC in 1968. For once, Americans came out against the government in violence over the Vietnam War. I find it interesting that Americans were very peaceful over their views on the Vietnam war and now they are violent.
Resources
mycivilrightssite 