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An Informal History of the Republican and Democratic Conventions of 1968: Chaos, Drama, and Political Upheaval

Jaime Mitchell

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Published in Miami And The Siege Of Chicago: An Informal History Of The Republican And Democratic Conventions Of 1968

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The year 1968 was an unforgettable one in American history, a time of great political upheaval and social unrest. The Vietnam War raged on, the civil rights movement gained momentum, and deep societal divisions ran rampant. Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, the Republican and Democratic national conventions took place, events that would forever alter the course of American politics.

The Republican Convention: A Battleground for the Soul of the Party

The Republican convention, held in Miami Beach, Florida, was a contentious affair from the outset. The party was deeply divided between its moderate and conservative wings, with the latter gaining momentum in the wake of the rise of Ronald Reagan, the charismatic former governor of California.

Miami and the Siege of Chicago: An Informal History of the Republican and Democratic Conventions of 1968

by Norman Mailer

4.3 out of 5

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The frontrunner for the nomination was Richard Nixon, a former vice president who had been out of office for eight years. Nixon was a skilled politician and campaigner, but he was also a polarizing figure, seen by many as a cold and calculating opportunist.

Nixon's main rivals were Nelson Rockefeller, the moderate governor of New York, and George Wallace, the segregationist governor of Alabama. Rockefeller represented the moderate wing of the party, while Wallace appealed to the conservative and white working-class voters.

The convention was marked by intense debate and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. The anti-war movement staged protests outside the convention hall, and the police responded with tear gas and billy clubs. Inside the hall, the delegates traded barbs and insults, reflecting the deep divisions within the party.

In the end, Nixon secured the nomination on the first ballot, but not without controversy. Rockefeller's supporters accused Nixon of underhanded tactics, and Wallace's supporters threatened to bolt the party and run an independent campaign.

The Democratic Convention: Chaos and Heartbreak

The Democratic convention, held in Chicago, Illinois, was even more chaotic and controversial than the Republican convention. The party was deeply divided between its anti-war and pro-war factions, with the former gaining momentum in the wake of the assassination of Robert Kennedy, the charismatic senator from New York.

The frontrunner for the nomination was Hubert Humphrey, the vice president under Lyndon B. Johnson. Humphrey was a moderate who supported the Vietnam War, but he was also seen as a pragmatist who was willing to compromise.

Humphrey's main rival was Eugene McCarthy, the anti-war senator from Minnesota. McCarthy had captured the imagination of many anti-war activists and young people, and he hoped to ride a wave of anti-war sentiment to the nomination.

The convention was marked by violent protests outside the convention hall. The police responded with excessive force, beating and arresting protesters, including journalists and bystanders. The violence was captured on television and broadcast to the nation, shocking and angering Americans.

Inside the convention hall, the delegates engaged in bitter debate. The anti-war delegates tried to unseat the pro-war Humphrey delegates, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Humphrey secured the nomination on the first ballot, but the convention left the party deeply divided.

The Aftermath: A Turning Point in American Politics

The Republican and Democratic conventions of 1968 were a turning point in American politics. They reflected the deep divisions within the nation and foreshadowed the political realignments that would take place in the years to come.

Nixon's victory in the general election marked a shift to the right in American politics. Nixon appealed to white working-class voters who felt left behind by the social and cultural changes of the 1960s.

Humphrey's defeat signaled the decline of the Democratic Party's hold on the white working-class vote. The party increasingly became the party of minorities, the poor, and the интеллигенция.

The 1968 conventions also had a lasting impact on the way political conventions were conducted. The violence and chaos of the Democratic convention led to a shift away from large, open conventions to smaller, more controlled gatherings.

The 1968 Republican and Democratic conventions were pivotal moments in American history. They reflected the deep divisions within the nation and foreshadowed the political realignments that would take place in the years to come.

Miami and the Siege of Chicago: An Informal History of the Republican and Democratic Conventions of 1968

by Norman Mailer

4.3 out of 5