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N0KFQ > TODAY 28.08.12 17:40l 66 Lines 3286 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Today in History - Aug 28
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Sent: 120828/1531Z 27454@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQK1.4.52
.
Aug 28, 1968:
Riots in Chicago fracture the Cold War consensus
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, tens of
thousands of protesters against the Vietnam War battle police in
the streets while the Democratic Party tears itself to shreds
concerning a platform statement on Vietnam. In one day and night,
the Cold War consensus that had dominated American thinking since
the late 1940s was shattered.
Since World War II ended and tensions with the Soviet Union began
to intensify, a Cold War consensus about foreign policy had grown
to dominate American thinking. In this mindset, communism was the
ultimate enemy that had to be fought everywhere in the world.
Uprisings in any nation, particularly in Africa, Asia, the Middle
East, or Latin America, were perceived through a Cold War lens
and were usually deemed to be communist-inspired. In Chicago in
August 1968, that Cold War consensus began to crack and crumble.
The Democratic Party held its national convention in Chicago that
year. Problems immediately arose both inside and outside the
convention. Inside, the delegates were split on the party's
stance concerning the ongoing Vietnam War. Many wanted a plank in
the party's platform demanding a U.S. withdrawal from the bloody
and frustrating conflict. Most of these delegates supported
Eugene McCarthy, a committed antiwar candidate, for president. A
majority, however, believed that America must not give up the
fight against communism. They largely supported Vice President
Hubert Humphrey. As the debate intensified, fights broke out on
the convention floor, and delegates and reporters were kicked,
punched, and knocked to the ground. Eventually, the Humphrey
forces were victorious, but the events of the convention left the
Democratic Party demoralized and drained.
On the streets of Chicago, antiwar protesters massed in the
downtown area, determined to force the Democrats to nominate
McCarthy. Mayor Richard Daley responded by unleashing the Chicago
police force. Thousands of policemen stormed into the crowd,
swinging their clubs and firing tear gas. Stunned Americans
watched on TV as the police battered and beat protesters,
reporters, and anyone else in the way. The protesters began to
chant, "The whole world is watching. The whole world is
watching."
The world--and the American nation--was indeed watching that
night. What they were witnessing was a serious fracture beginning
to develop in America's previously solid Cold War consensus. For
the first time, many Americans were demanding that their nation
withdraw from part of its war against communism. North Vietnam,
instead of being portrayed as the villain and pawn of its Soviet
masters, was seen by some as a beleaguered nation fighting for
independence and freedom against the vast war machine of the
United States. The convention events marked an important turning
point: no longer would the government have unrestrained power to
pursue its Cold War policies. When future international crises
arose--in Central America, the Middle East, or Africa--the cry of
"No more Vietnams" was a reminder that the government's Cold War
rhetoric would be closely scrutinized and often criticized.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
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