Research Catalog

Lyndon Johnson, Vietnam, and the presidency : the speech of March 31, 1968

Title
Lyndon Johnson, Vietnam, and the presidency : the speech of March 31, 1968 / David Zarefsky.
Author
Zarefsky, David
Publication
College Station : Texas A&M University Press, [2021]

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TextUse in library JFE 21-6152Schwarzman Building - Milstein Division Room 121

Details

Description
xxvi, 240 pages : illustrations (black and white); 24 cm.
Summary
"Even those who remember hearing those words may not remember that they came at the very end of a 45-minute speech primarily concerning Vietnam. Three months into an already tumultuous year, in the aftermath of the Tet offensive and facing a deeply divided country, President Lyndon Baines Johnson addressed the nation to announce new initiatives and appeal for public support. The speech of March 31, 1968 announced a bombing halt over much of North Vietnam, a limited troop increase rather than a major escalation, and his own decision to withdraw from the presidential race. Each of these decisions was unexpected, a major surprise that stunned the nation. In Lyndon Johnson, Vietnam, and the Presidency, political rhetoric scholar David Zarefsky examines the three key announcements and how they fit together in the speech. In particular, LBJ's announcement that he would not run for re-election gave the de-escalation measures more credibility because they could not be seen as political ploys. Zarefsky traces the development of the speech through eleven drafts, reflecting disagreements and doubts among the writers and advisers. In turn, he sets these efforts in the larger context of the Cold War and the impact of the Tet offensive. Drawing on archival sources and reflecting rhetorical insights, this book illuminates one of the most consequential speeches of the 1960s. Even though the fighting in Vietnam would continue for several more years, the course of America's conduct in Vietnam was changed permanently by this speech"--
Series Statement
Kenneth E. Montague presidential rhetoric series
Uniform Title
Kenneth E. Montague presidential rhetoric series.
Subject
  • Johnson, Lyndon B. 1908-1973
  • 1961-1975
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975 > Participation, American > Political aspects
  • Tet Offensive, 1968
  • Presidents > United States > Election > 1968
  • Politics and government
  • Presidents > Election
  • United States > Politics and government > 1963-1969
  • United States
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages [227]-230) and index.
Contents
Lyndon B. Johnson, "Radio and Television Address to the America People from the Oval Office" -- The United States and Vietnam, 1945-67 -- The Tet Offensive and After -- Designing the Speech -- The Bombing Halt -- The Troop Commitment -- Withdrawal from the Race -- The Afterlife of March 31.
Call Number
JFE 21-6152
ISBN
  • 9781623499365
  • 1623499364
LCCN
  • 2020051977
  • 40030495125
OCLC
1157962425
Author
Zarefsky, David, author.
Title
Lyndon Johnson, Vietnam, and the presidency : the speech of March 31, 1968 / David Zarefsky.
Publisher
College Station : Texas A&M University Press, [2021]
Edition
First edition.
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
volume
Series
Kenneth E. Montague presidential rhetoric series
Kenneth E. Montague presidential rhetoric series.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages [227]-230) and index.
Chronological Term
1961-1975
Other Standard Identifier
40030495125
Research Call Number
JFE 21-6152
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