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The 1968 DNC, hosted in Chicago, was marked by deep divisions within the Democratic Party over the Vietnam War. Protests against the war, poverty, and racism filled the streets, escalating tensions with Mayor Richard J. Daley's administration, which aimed to maintain order. Inside the convention hall, disputes over the party platform and the nomination process mirrored the unrest outside.
- The Democratic Party was split on the Vietnam War, with some supporting it and others viewing it as imperialism.
- Lyndon Johnson's surprise withdrawal from the presidential race left his Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, as the nominee apparent.
- Humphrey's reluctant support for the war, despite personal reservations, fueled further division within the party.
- Protesters, including the Yippies, aimed to disrupt the convention and shift attention to social issues.
- Mayor Daley's strict approach to managing the protests heightened tensions and contributed to the escalating violence.
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