Prologue
Deleted member 92121
Prologue
The year of 1968 was, without a shadow of doubt, one of the most pivotal moments in recent american history. In the spawn of only 12 months, violence, indignation with the status quo and a burning desire for change would bring foward a new era in America.
Only four years earlier, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had been passed, formally ending segregation. Much can be sad about LBJ and his kind of democrat, but his commitment to the legacy of President John F. Kennedy's vision must be applauded. Change, however, did not seem to arrive as fast as the stroke of the pen. Four years later, open discrimination was still a common sight in america. In the south, racism was ever present, and lynchings were not yet a thing of the past. The so called "southern democrats", or Dixiecrats as history has come to know then, were agains't many of the principles advocated by the late President Kennedy and the act enacted by his sucessor.
By 1968 many of these Dixiecrats had abandoned their support for the Democratic Party in favor of George Wallace and his American Independent Party. The racist rhetoric of Wallace, as well as his firm oposition to the transformation of the Democratic party is still remembered today. In 1964, multiple southern states that had historically benn held by the donkey went for Goldwater in the so called "Southern Strategy". But 4 years later, it seemed that Wallace might steal them from the Republican for his new party of racism.
Race was not the only issue being debated in that election however. The political climate was dominated by one large dark cloud. One topic that divided the country. The war in Vietnam.
President John F. Kennedy himself had been in favor of a growing involvment in Vietnam as part of the fight agains't communism. A relatively small country in southeast Asia, Vietnam was seen as a easy victory for the american way by many in the first years of the decade. They were wrong.
The idea of a quick victory had been shatered with the ever growing Viet Cong resistance. As the years passed, the conflict kept claiming more and more american lives, in most of these cases they were the poor, the disenfranchised, the blacks and hispanics, the ones forgotten by the war machine. The year had started with the sound of gunfire and death. The so called Tet Offensive had been the greatest show of force by the Viet Cong since the beginning of the United States involvment.
The american public asked for change, for a solution to the ever growing pile of bodies in a distant country fighting a invisible enemy. LBJ did not deliver one. To this day, his insistance on the need for american involvment on the Vietnam conflict is seen as Johnson's biggest mistake. This failure to see the writing on the wall is generally believed to be what sparked Senator Robert F. Kennedy's run for the white house. His announcement on March 16th brought hope to many that desired a new mindset in the White House. He wasn't the only opponent LBJ would face, however. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota had also announced his candidacy at the closing months of 1967. McCarthy was a staunch oponnent of the war in Vietnam, and would prove to be a charismatic candidate to many. By mid-March however, it seemed unrealistic that anyone would take Johnson's nomination from him.
On March 30th, however, a historical surprise would rock the political situation in the country. LBJ would formally announce that he would not seek re-election. After four years of a unpopular war, and carrying out the ideas of his predecessor, this Southern Democrat seemed too tired of fighting his own kind. Following the announcement, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, began his campaign. A man drastically different from Johnson, Humphrey came from Minnesota, and was as far of being a Southern democrat as anyone could. Still, the Vice president stance on Vietnam made him unpopular with many voters.
Shortly after this surprise, another one, this much more tragic, would shock the country. On April 4th, the great reverend Martin Luther King Jr. would be assassinated. His death would spawn national uproar, with riots on multiple cities. It seemed that 1968 would be a year of shock indeed.
The funeral of the Reverend would take place on the 9th of april. LBJ would declare a national day of mourning. More than 300 thousand people would attend the event, the laying of rest of a great man. The service at Ebenezer Baptist church would hold 1.300 people, among them friend and family of the reverend, as well as many dignataries, labor union leaders and civil right's figures. It would be followed by a procession from the church to Morehouse College, where King had studied.
Among those present was Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who attended in place of the president. The official excuse of LBJ was that he had a meeting in Camp David regarding critical developments in the war. In fact, it is generally believed that the old texan was afraid of protests ensuing due to his presence there. This was the man who was sending so many young black americans to die, after all.
The name Hubert Humphrey carried a lot of weight behind it in that evening of April 9th, 1968. Senator, Vice President, Enemy of segregation. Humphrey was known by many people, and for many different reasons. The name William Chasney, however, was known to very few at that point. But in the midst of a national tragedy, with the entire world watching, Chasney would make his name known with a Colt .38 and 5 bullets.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
.................
So people, this is the beginning of my first TL. Most of this chapter was exposition of the context of the time. If you guys have anny opinions or suggestions, please comment, they would be appreciated.
The year of 1968 was, without a shadow of doubt, one of the most pivotal moments in recent american history. In the spawn of only 12 months, violence, indignation with the status quo and a burning desire for change would bring foward a new era in America.
Only four years earlier, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had been passed, formally ending segregation. Much can be sad about LBJ and his kind of democrat, but his commitment to the legacy of President John F. Kennedy's vision must be applauded. Change, however, did not seem to arrive as fast as the stroke of the pen. Four years later, open discrimination was still a common sight in america. In the south, racism was ever present, and lynchings were not yet a thing of the past. The so called "southern democrats", or Dixiecrats as history has come to know then, were agains't many of the principles advocated by the late President Kennedy and the act enacted by his sucessor.
By 1968 many of these Dixiecrats had abandoned their support for the Democratic Party in favor of George Wallace and his American Independent Party. The racist rhetoric of Wallace, as well as his firm oposition to the transformation of the Democratic party is still remembered today. In 1964, multiple southern states that had historically benn held by the donkey went for Goldwater in the so called "Southern Strategy". But 4 years later, it seemed that Wallace might steal them from the Republican for his new party of racism.
Race was not the only issue being debated in that election however. The political climate was dominated by one large dark cloud. One topic that divided the country. The war in Vietnam.
President John F. Kennedy himself had been in favor of a growing involvment in Vietnam as part of the fight agains't communism. A relatively small country in southeast Asia, Vietnam was seen as a easy victory for the american way by many in the first years of the decade. They were wrong.
The idea of a quick victory had been shatered with the ever growing Viet Cong resistance. As the years passed, the conflict kept claiming more and more american lives, in most of these cases they were the poor, the disenfranchised, the blacks and hispanics, the ones forgotten by the war machine. The year had started with the sound of gunfire and death. The so called Tet Offensive had been the greatest show of force by the Viet Cong since the beginning of the United States involvment.
The american public asked for change, for a solution to the ever growing pile of bodies in a distant country fighting a invisible enemy. LBJ did not deliver one. To this day, his insistance on the need for american involvment on the Vietnam conflict is seen as Johnson's biggest mistake. This failure to see the writing on the wall is generally believed to be what sparked Senator Robert F. Kennedy's run for the white house. His announcement on March 16th brought hope to many that desired a new mindset in the White House. He wasn't the only opponent LBJ would face, however. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota had also announced his candidacy at the closing months of 1967. McCarthy was a staunch oponnent of the war in Vietnam, and would prove to be a charismatic candidate to many. By mid-March however, it seemed unrealistic that anyone would take Johnson's nomination from him.
On March 30th, however, a historical surprise would rock the political situation in the country. LBJ would formally announce that he would not seek re-election. After four years of a unpopular war, and carrying out the ideas of his predecessor, this Southern Democrat seemed too tired of fighting his own kind. Following the announcement, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, began his campaign. A man drastically different from Johnson, Humphrey came from Minnesota, and was as far of being a Southern democrat as anyone could. Still, the Vice president stance on Vietnam made him unpopular with many voters.
Shortly after this surprise, another one, this much more tragic, would shock the country. On April 4th, the great reverend Martin Luther King Jr. would be assassinated. His death would spawn national uproar, with riots on multiple cities. It seemed that 1968 would be a year of shock indeed.
The funeral of the Reverend would take place on the 9th of april. LBJ would declare a national day of mourning. More than 300 thousand people would attend the event, the laying of rest of a great man. The service at Ebenezer Baptist church would hold 1.300 people, among them friend and family of the reverend, as well as many dignataries, labor union leaders and civil right's figures. It would be followed by a procession from the church to Morehouse College, where King had studied.
Among those present was Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who attended in place of the president. The official excuse of LBJ was that he had a meeting in Camp David regarding critical developments in the war. In fact, it is generally believed that the old texan was afraid of protests ensuing due to his presence there. This was the man who was sending so many young black americans to die, after all.
The name Hubert Humphrey carried a lot of weight behind it in that evening of April 9th, 1968. Senator, Vice President, Enemy of segregation. Humphrey was known by many people, and for many different reasons. The name William Chasney, however, was known to very few at that point. But in the midst of a national tragedy, with the entire world watching, Chasney would make his name known with a Colt .38 and 5 bullets.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
.................
So people, this is the beginning of my first TL. Most of this chapter was exposition of the context of the time. If you guys have anny opinions or suggestions, please comment, they would be appreciated.
Last edited by a moderator:
