1968 Democratic National Convention

1968 Democratic National Convention
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Title	1968 Democratic National Convention
Party	Democratic Party
Location	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois
Date	August 26-29, 1968
Presidential nominee	Hubert Humphrey
Vice presidential nominee	Edmund Muskie

1968 Democratic National Convention. The convention was a pivotal event in the 1968 United States presidential election, marked by intense protests and unrest outside the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, where the convention was held. The convention was attended by prominent Democratic Party figures, including Hubert Humphrey, Edmund Muskie, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Robert F. Kennedy. The event was also closely watched by Richard Nixon, the Republican Party's nominee, and other notable figures like Nelson Rockefeller and George Wallace.

Background

The 1968 Democratic National Convention was held against the backdrop of a tumultuous year in American history, marked by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. The Democratic Party was deeply divided over the Vietnam War, with anti-war candidates like Eugene McCarthy and Robert F. Kennedy challenging the party's establishment. The convention was also notable for the presence of prominent civil rights leaders like Ralph Abernathy, Stokely Carmichael, and Jesse Jackson. Other key figures, including Ted Kennedy, George McGovern, and Walter Mondale, played important roles in shaping the convention's agenda. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference were among the organizations represented at the convention.

The Convention

The convention itself was marked by intense maneuvering and deal-making among the various factions of the Democratic Party. Hubert Humphrey, who had not competed in the primaries, emerged as the party's nominee, with Edmund Muskie as his running mate. The convention also featured speeches by notable figures like Ted Sorensen, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., and Averell Harriman. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the United Auto Workers were among the organizations that played a significant role in the convention. Other key players, including Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and Illinois Governor Samuel Shapiro, helped to shape the convention's outcome.

Protests and Unrest

Outside the convention hall, anti-war protesters and counterculture activists clashed with Chicago police and National Guard troops, resulting in widespread violence and arrests. The protests were led by groups like the Students for a Democratic Society, the Youth International Party, and the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam. Notable figures like Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and Tom Hayden were among the protest leaders. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency were also involved in monitoring the protests. Other organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Lawyers Guild, played a role in advocating for the rights of protesters.

Nomination and Aftermath

The nomination of Hubert Humphrey was met with widespread disappointment and anger among anti-war activists and liberal Democrats. The convention's aftermath was marked by recriminations and finger-pointing among the various factions of the Democratic Party. The Republican Party seized on the divisions within the Democratic Party, with Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew using the convention's chaos to their advantage in the general election. Other key figures, including Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, also commented on the convention's outcome. The New York Times and the Washington Post were among the media outlets that provided extensive coverage of the convention.

Impact and Legacy

The 1968 Democratic National Convention had a profound impact on American politics, marking a turning point in the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. The convention's unrest and violence also led to a re-evaluation of the role of protest and dissent in American society. The convention's legacy can be seen in the presidential campaigns of George McGovern and Jimmy Carter, as well as the social movements of the 1970s and 1980s. Other notable figures, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have also reflected on the convention's significance. The Library of Congress and the National Archives have preserved extensive records of the convention, including speeches, documents, and photographs. The Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee continue to study the convention as a significant event in American political history. Category:1968 elections in the United States