The tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention: Protests and Upheaval
A brief overview
The 1968 Democratic National Convention, held in Chicago, Illinois, from August 26 to 29, was a tumultuous event that was marked by violent protests and upheaval within the party.
The convention was being held at a time of great social and political unrest in the United States. The Vietnam War was raging, and the country was deeply divided over the issue. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., earlier that year had also inflamed racial tensions.
The Democratic Party was also deeply divided. Anti-war and civil rights activists were challenging the party establishment, and the convention was seen as a battleground between the two factions.
The convention
The convention was held at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago. The protests began outside the convention center, as demonstrators clashed with police. The violence escalated on the night of August 28, when police used tear gas and billy clubs to disperse the protesters.
The violence was captured on live television, and it shocked the nation. The convention was also marked by bitter divisions within the party. The anti-war and civil rights activists were determined to stop Hubert Humphrey, the party's establishment candidate, from winning the nomination.
They eventually succeeded, and the nomination went to George McGovern, a more liberal candidate who opposed the Vietnam War.
The aftermath
The 1968 Democratic National Convention was a turning point in American history. It marked the end of the old order within the Democratic Party and the beginning of a new era of activism and protest.
The convention also had a lasting impact on the city of Chicago. The violence and chaos that took place during the convention led to a loss of trust in the police and the city government. It also damaged Chicago's reputation as a welcoming and hospitable city.
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