1968 Democratic National Convention: Violent Protests and Party Upheaval

A Tumultuous Convention in Chicago

Violent Protests and Party Division

The 1968 Democratic National Convention, held in Chicago, Illinois, was marked by intense protests and internal divisions within the party. The convention was a culmination of a year of growing unrest and anti-war sentiment across the United States.

As the convention commenced, thousands of protesters gathered outside the International Amphitheatre, where the event was held. They clashed with police in violent demonstrations that led to arrests and injuries. The protesters were particularly opposed to the Vietnam War and the nomination of Hubert Humphrey as the Democratic presidential candidate.

Inside the convention hall, the divisions within the party were evident. Humphrey, a moderate Democratic senator from Minnesota, was nominated after a contentious primary campaign. His nomination alienated many anti-war activists and led to a split within the party.

The Tet Offensive and the Assassinations

The 1968 Democratic National Convention took place in the midst of a turbulent year for the nation. Earlier that year, North Vietnamese forces launched the Tet Offensive, a major offensive that shook the United States and raised questions about the progress of the war in Vietnam.

In addition, the country was reeling from the assassinations of two prominent figures: Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. These tragic events further inflamed the political climate and added to the tensions surrounding the convention.