Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention Topic: Selecting A Nominee and Platform History of Party Conventions The process of nominating candidates for political parties grew organically over time. In the late 18th and early 19th century, political parties were more a collection of like­minded individuals rather than organizations. In fact, the Founding Fathers believed that political parties would divide the country and therefore did not support them. In 1800, the Federalist and Republican parties voted for the candidates in secrecy. In 1832, the Anti­Masonic Party held the first nominating convention as a way to remove elitism from the party system. Democrats and Whigs followed suit and hosted their own 1
conventions later that year.​
However, it was not until the 1960s that the presidential nominating process became truly democratic. The adoption of presidential primaries gave average citizens direct control over nominations. Instead of the proverbial “smoke­filled room”, candidates campaigned in states. As a result, the nominee was usually known before the time of 2
the convention.​
Party conventions also serve as a way discuss party platforms. The first party platform was adopted at the 1840 Democratic National Convention. In 1860, a bitter debate Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention between Southern and Northern Democrats over the party’s stance on slavery marked the first major controversy during a convention. Although rifts within the party were a theme throughout the following conventions, none proved to be as controversial as the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Events Leading Up to the Convention National Political Climate Background After World War II, the United States government was hell­bent on preventing the spread of Communism. After the creation of the Soviet Union and its satellite states, the U.S. abandoned any trace of isolationism and decided to stop Communism however possible. In the 1950s, the Domino Theory, which hypothesized that as soon as one 3​
Communist state fell others would follow, dictated U.S. foreign policy.​
The U.S. became involved in any nation they believed susceptible to Communism. This led to U.S. involvement in Vietnam, where the American government desperately tried to stop 4
South Vietnam from being overtaken by Communist North Vietnam.​
The recent assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, along with over 100 race riots nationally and great debate over the Vietnam War, combined to make a contentious convention. The Democratic frontrunner was unclear, and lines were drawn between those in support of and those against the war. Furthermore, Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to pursue a second term, leaving the party in 5
a scramble to find a candidate.​
Vietnam War Controversies and Protests Although small leftist and college­campus protests had taken place since the beginning of the war, protests only gained national attention in 1965 after the U.S. started regularly bombing North Vietnam. The majority of the U.S. population still supported the war, and dissenters were made up of students, hippies, artists, and intellectuals. By November 1967, the war was costing the U.S. $25 billion a year, and as many as 40,000 men were being drafted into the military every month. Protests began amassing tens of thousands of demonstrators, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King condemned the war on moral grounds. Marches and demonstrations peaked in 1968, after the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive proved that the war was nowhere near its end. By that February, a Gallup poll showed that only 35% of the population agreed with President Johnson’s handling of the war and a full 50% disapproved. Even veterans organized 6
against the war and were filmed throwing their medals away on live television.​
Racial Tensions and Race Riots Just months before the convention Martin Luther King was shot dead in Memphis, Tennessee. Several days after the death of MLK, congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, many seeing it as a response to the assassination. However, this did little to Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention suppress racial tension as multiple race riots broke out in major cities across the country. Chicago, D.C., and Baltimore suffered the worst damage. In Chicago, the riots lasted 48 hours as 11 were killed, 48 were wounded by police gunfire, 90 policemen were injured, and 2,150 people were arrested. Mayor Richard J. Daley famously ordered police, “shoot to kill.” Afterwards, many Democrats expressed reservations about Chicago and urged leaders to move the event to Miami. However, Daley threatened to withdraw his support from establishment candidate Hubert Humphrey and 7
the convention stayed in Chicago.​
Johnson Administration In 1963, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Afterwards Lyndon B. Johnson, his vice president, was appointed president of the United States. After the primaries LBJ decided not to run for re­election in 1968. His decision, influenced by his fear of losing and waning popularity over his Vietnam War policy, opened the door to new Democratic faces. For example, anti­war advocate Eugene McCarthy suddenly had a serious chance of winning the nomination. Although absent during the convention, LBJ still 8
continued to exert influence over the events by backing Humphrey.​
1968 Political Primary Race and the Assassination of RFK After Johnson withdrew from the presidential race, the party split into four main fractions: the older establishment bosses who backed Hubert Humphrey, the anti­war Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention war and youth fractions led by Eugene McCarthy, the racial/ethnic minorities that supported Kennedy, and the Southern Democrats that backed George Wallace. Later, Southern Democrats would move support to Hubert Humphrey after it became apparent that George Wallace would lose the nomination. Hubert Humphrey did not run in the 9
primary election, although he had the most delegates out of any candidate.​
On June 5, 1968, Senator Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles, California. At the time of his death he had gained a significant lead over Eugene McCarthy and was expected to be the main challenger against Humphrey come the August convention. 10
Many believed he would have won the nomination due to his popularity in California.​
His death greatly impacted the morale of Americans, contributing to a national depression. His assassination brought Eugene McCarthy back into the race but left 11
many delegates undecided.​
Chicago Political Climate Chicago has held more national political conventions than any other city­ 14 Republican and 11 Democratic­ mostly due to its central location. This made it a natural choice in 1968. However, due to racial and political tensions, it was not the safest choice. Prior to the convention, Mayor Richard J Daley amassed 12,000 police officers, 6,000 National Guard members, and 6,000 army troops all while assuring delegates that they would have nothing to worry about. Organizers of anti­war demonstrations had attempted to Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention get protesting permits for months, but to no avail. If they were to continue forward, any 12
protest would be illegal.​
The most notable activist group, the Yippies (Youth International Party), blurred the line between harmless hippies and violent protesters. They threatened to poison the city’s water supply with LSD, a ludicrous threat that nevertheless prompted Daley to station 13
around­the­clock police officers at the city’s filtration plants.​
A week before the convention, tensions reached a boiling point as all protest and march permits were denied. Daley ordered a 300 member Chicago Police Department Special Task Force, equipped with revolvers, batons, helmets, mace, tear gas, and shotguns. Security was especially heavy for the delegates, politicians, and presidential hopefuls arriving, as thousands of officers and firefighters were stationed or on call near the Amphitheatre of the convention. Despite these defensive actions, Daley continued to 14
reassure convention goers that there would be no protests.​
15
Week of the Conference ​
August 26, 1968 In the early morning, activist and member of the “Chicago Seven” Tom Hayden is among those arrested. A thousand protesters march towards police headquarters at 11th and State. Dozens of officers surround the building. The march turns north to Grant Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention Park, swarming the General Logan statue. Police react by clearing the hill and the statue. At the International Amphitheatre, Mayor Daley formally opens the 1968 Democratic National Convention. In his welcoming address, Daley says, “As long as I am mayor of this city, there’s going to be law and order in Chicago.” As the newly instated curfew approaches, some activists in Lincoln Park build a barricade against the police line to the east. About 1,000 remain in the park after 11 PM as a police car noses into the barricade and is pelted by rocks. Police move in with tear gas. Like Sunday night, street violence ensues, but worse than before. Some area residents are pulled off their porches and clubbed. More reporters are attacked this night than at any other time during the week. August 27, 1968 At 1 PM, 200 members of the American Friends Service Committee and other pacifist groups leave a Near­North side church to march to the Amphitheatre. Joined by others along their route, the marchers eventually number about 1,000. The police stop the march at 39th and Halstead, about half a mile north of the Amphitheatre, where the marchers set up a picket line and remain in place until 10 AM the next morning. They are then ordered to disperse and 30 resisters are arrested. This is the only march of Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention Convention Week that gets anywhere near the Amphitheater, yet it gets virtually no publicity. At about 7 PM, Black Panther Party Chairman Bobby Seale speaks in Lincoln Park. He urges people to defend themselves by any means necessary if attacked by the police. An “Unbirthday Party for LBJ” convenes at the Chicago Coliseum, featuring performers and speakers such as Ed Sanders, Abbie Hoffman, Terry Southern, Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Phil Ochs, and Rennie Davis. Later, 2,000 people march from the Coliseum to Grant Park. In Lincoln Park, 200 clergy and churchgoers toting a 12­foot cross join 2,000 protesters to remain in the park past curfew. Again, tear gas and club­swinging police clear the park. Many head south to the Loop and Grant Park. In front of television cameras at the Hilton Hotel at Grant Park, 4,000 demonstrators rally to hear speeches by Julian Bond, Davis, and Hayden. Mary Travers and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary sing. The rally is peaceful. At 3 AM the National Guard relieve the police. The crowd is allowed to stay in Grant Park all night. Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention Committee Details It is August 28, 1968. The convention has been marked by infighting and protests. However, it is imperative that this committee continues debates on candidates and agrees on a party platform for the upcoming election. As a convention, you will have the freedom to talk about anything. Topics can go into platform issues or nominations. ​
This is a crisis committee and throughout you will be confronted to news from the outside protests in Chicago. The Democratic Party must respond swiftly and effectively to the growing discord. Remember, the world is watching. Questions to consider 1. Who do you support? As a delegate do you support the powerful establishment or wish for dramatic change in party leadership? 2. What are your views on Vietnam? Should the United States withdraw their troops or continue to support the South Vietnamese army? 3. How do you view race relations in the United States? 4. How do you view protesting and youth anti­war movements? Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention Bibliography 1. Library of Congress. (2008). Democratic National Political Conventions 1832­2008. Retrieved March 7, 2016, from https://www.loc.gov/rr/main/democratic_conventions.pdf 2. Grabianowski, E. (2004, July 29). How Political Conventions Work. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://people.howstuffworks.com/political­convention1.htm 3. Domino Theory. (2009). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold­war/domino­theory 4. 1961–1968 ­ Milestones ­ Office of the Historian. (2013, October 31). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961­1968 5. Battlefield: Vietnam. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index2.html 6. Vietnam War Protests. (2010). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam­war/vietnam­war­protests 7. Smith, V. E., & Meacham, J. (1998). The War Over King's Legacy. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp­srv/national/longterm/mlk/legacy/legacy.htm 8. Risen, C. (2008, April). The Unmaking of the President. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the­unmaking­of­the­president­3157720
3/?no­ist Northside College Prep Model UN ____________________________ 1968 Democratic Convention 9. Mailer, N. (1996). Brief History Of Chicago's 1968 Democratic Convention. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/chicago68/in
dex.shtml 10. Bobby Kennedy is assassinated. (2009). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this­day­in­history/bobby­kennedy­is­assassinated 11. Clarke, T. (2008, June 8). Robert F. Kennedy and the 82 Days That Inspired America. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/51186 12. Protests at Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (2010). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this­day­in­history/protests­at­democratic­national­conven
tion­in­chicago 13. Jaffe, I. (2008, August 23). 1968 Chicago Riot Left Mark On Political Protests. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93898277 14. Kusch, F. (2004). ​
Battleground Chicago: The police and the 1968 Democratic National Convention​
. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 15. Bloblaum, D. (2014, August 27). Chicago '68: A Chronology. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://chicago68.com/c68chron.html