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American turning point of 1968.
The year 1968 is a year of change in American social history since the end of World War II. It is a year that suppressed and traumatized issues that had shaped American society into a violent nation. In that, America was surrounded by numerous issues that were hectic to the government and society. (Thowmbly NP). Racial unrest, bloody war with Vietnam, Two assassinations of the government superiors, a celebration of sex and rebellion, colorful hippies, and John Lennon’s countercultural anthem were at the peak, making restless among people. However, despite all these constraints, both political and social, triggered; and instilled peace, trust, understand, and rest in people by the end of the glorious 1968, making it a turning point.
The key events that changed America and gave it a new look took place in the beginning of 1968. The first move that sired fruits of change for America was made by Republican presidential nominee Richard Nixon whose campaign played on the protests of equality in all manners. Meanwhile, the leaders were playing dirty politics of identity, which was continuously dividing America into cultural and social status segments. (Gildon NP). In a short time after Nixon’s campaign, there came Tet Offensive on January 30. Tet offensive was a group of communist forces that spread the killing in Vietnam city who were defeated by America after weeks of the bloody fight. At that juncture, that war gave America much in strength in opposition to the war.
Around October, two African-American sprinters triumphed in the aftermath of 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, changed peoples` way of thinking, especially those who practiced racism by creating a firestorm when they defiantly raised their hands in a black power salute awarding ceremony in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. It set a good example of promoting equality, and it has changed people up to date it used by Americans to demonstrate against racism. And their protest was part of the storm that was improving race relations in that year. It brought about African-American reasonable relationship expectations that were long gone.
America’s peace was being built slowly with petty tactics that mysteriously changed a big part with time. The popular forms of entertainment were presented in the reflection of chaos and revolts. On November 22, a movie episode, “Star Trek,” was also a source of inspiration. It involved a romantic kiss between a white actor and an African-American actress. Contrary to what people could imagine since they took black people as deviant, inferior, and non-ethical, the movie caused a furor. Making it more influential, the movie episode was followed by several other films by other actors but of the same caliber. In addition to that, several songs hit the air, and most of them were majorly addressing revolution. (The Ohio state university NP). The top five songs of 1968 that caressed peoples` hearts in order of popularity were “Hey Jude” by the Beatles, “Love Is Blue” by Paul Mauriat, “Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro, “(Sittin) by The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, and “People Got to Be Free” by the Rascals. Some of these songs were love songs, but the underlying theme for all was the need for optimism for a troubled time, desire for peace, and liberty.
As the year was at its peak times these events changed the conservative identity of America associated with only one party lead by Nixon. Nobody was aware if indeed America would settle down or not. From the blues a savior came Nixon, who developed a harsh message of preserving traditional values and ran a reign which he called, “silent majority” of the middle class and working-class Americans who wanted stability and order. He also designed Strategies from the south of using law and order themes to appeal to the whites from everywhere. (Thowmbly NP). It worked, and Nixon won that November, as the nation dreadfully pursued stability and some sense of normalcy in America. Many anti-establishment, racist and angry mood of many were captured by George Wallace, governor of Alabama. He later won the presidential elections of 1968 by defeating his running mates almost three times the number of their votes.
In summary, America was filled with feudal people and a widespread war, chaos, revolt, and political instability in that no one had trust in the government or expectations of goodwill. All these constraints derailed the American economy and political landscape. However, regardless of how small or inferior a strategy seems to be, it can cause very prudent benefits, just like how America changed within one year after a long way from World War II by only small aspects to bring change that is physically evident up to date.
Work cited.
Gildon, S. M. The revolution that was 1968. Retrieved from History stories (2019): https://www.history.com/news/the-revolution-that-was-1968
The Ohio state university. The time it was. Retrieved from Origins (2019): http://origins.osu.edu/article/1968-global-U.S.-Mexico-Germany-Tlatelolco-Spiegel
Thowmbly, M. The year that shattered America. Retrieved from Smithsonian Magazine (2018): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/timeline-seismicSS-180967503/
