59.7k views
0 votes
Write one or two paragraphs in

response to this prompt:
Historian and author Charles Kaiser writes that 1968 was "the most turbulent twelve months of the postwar period and one of the most disturbing intervals we have lived through since the Civil War." What made 1968 such an important year
in American history?

1 Answer

3 votes

1968 was a year of significant events in American history. It was a year of political and social upheaval that witnessed some of the most traumatic events of the time. The year saw the continuation of the Vietnam War and anti-war protests, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, and the riots that erupted in many cities across the United States. These events created a sense of chaos and disillusionment among many Americans. The Tet Offensive, a series of attacks by the Viet Cong, also shocked the American public and further eroded support for the war effort. The year was also marked by protests against racial discrimination and police brutality, with the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement gaining momentum.

In summary, 1968 was a year of profound social and political upheaval that shaped American history for decades to come. The events of the year shattered the idealism of the 1960s and marked a turning point in American history, ushering in an era of cynicism and distrust of authority. The legacy of 1968 remains with us today, as we continue to grapple with the challenges of inequality, social justice, and political division.

User Jason Harrison
by
8.7k points