This six-minute video explores the violence and disorder that played out before a national television audience at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. At the height of the Vietnam War, and in a context of escalating racial and cultural tensions, the failure of the Democratic Party to unify around the pro-war candidacy of Hubert Humphrey resulted in physical violence on the floor of the convention hall, as well as on the streets surrounding it. The video is useful for lessons covering the 1968 election, or for lessons demonstrating the cultural and political tensions dividing America in the late 1960s.
Lessons from the 1968 Democratic Convention: Under the Shadow of Protests
There are important lessons to be learned from the Democrats’ 1968 Chicago convention.
The turbulent 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago holds important lessons. Anti-war sentiment and political unrest darkened the national mood and fueled violent protests.
This series was produced by Matt Spolar, in partnership with Politico.
Related: What Aaron Sorkin Left Out of His Newest Film by Alex Remnick
For teachers
- Lesson plan 1: 1968 Democratic National Convention – The Mess in Chicago
- Read transcript
- Producer: Matthew Spolar
- Associate Producer: Victor Couto
- Reporter: Amy Lee Hochman
For Educators
Subjects
Lesson Plan 1: 1968 Democratic National Convention – The Mess in Chicago
1968 Democratic National Convention – The Mess in Chicago
1968 Democratic National Convention – The Mess in Chicago
Political Parties & Conventions