Why Democrats Should Take Lessons from the 1968 Protests

Julian Zelizer, a CNN political analyst and professor at Princeton University, is the author of numerous books including the best-seller "Myth America: Historians Take on the Biggest Lies and Legends About Our Past." Follow him on Twitter @julianzelizer. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

Democrats are growing concerned about the internal conflicts within their party regarding the Israel-Hamas war, fearing that it could negatively impact their prospects in the upcoming November elections.

The eruption of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses and the ensuing clashes with police raise concerns for the future. The demands of student protesters differ slightly from one school to another, but they mainly focus on ending the war and withdrawing university investments from companies associated with Israel or profiting from the conflict.

After Columbia University president Minouche Shafik allowed the New York Police Department to disperse the protests, resulting in over 100 student arrests, similar actions occurred at other institutions. In response, the students have expanded their goals to include advocating for free speech and the right to protest. On the other hand, many students nationwide believe that universities have not done enough to address antisemitic language, harassment, and physical threats. Recently, the University of Southern California canceled its graduation ceremony due to security concerns.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, US, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, US, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Joe Buglewicz/Bloomberg/Getty Images

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I’m a Jewish student at Yale and I believe that many are misunderstanding the protests. Student protesters blame the Biden administration for the violence in Gaza, while Republicans like House Speaker Mike Johnson see a political advantage. Johnson recently visited Columbia University protesters in New York City, urging them to end the protests and return to class. He even called for the resignation of Shafik if order was not restored. The GOP aims to portray Democrats as having radical supporters who challenge our institutions.

The current turmoil reminds us of the student protests of 1968. This comparison is particularly significant as the Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Chicago this year. It may not have been the best decision for Democrats to choose Chicago, considering the city's history. In 1968, after President Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek reelection, the party nominated his vice president, Hubert Humphrey. However, what was supposed to be Humphrey's moment of triumph turned into chaos. The streets of Chicago witnessed intense clashes between police, under the orders of Mayor Richard Daley, and anti-Vietnam War protesters. The violent scenes broadcasted on television had a negative impact on Humphrey's chances in the November election.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Mounted police work to contain demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza at the University of Texas at Austin on April 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Students walked out of class as protests continue to sweep college campuses around the country. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Students at the University of Texas at Austin protested the war in Gaza on April 24, 2024. The demonstrators were contained by mounted police as they walked out of class to join the protest. Similar protests have been taking place on college campuses across the country. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

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Richard Nixon, the Republican presidential candidate and former Vice President, took advantage of the divisions within the Democratic party. He positioned himself as the defender of "law and order" and spoke on behalf of what he called the "Silent Majority" of Americans. One of his campaign ads featured images of protesters while he emphasized the importance of peaceful dissent for bringing about change. Nixon pledged to restore order in the United States and promised to represent the forgotten Americans - those who do not shout or demonstrate, who are not racist or ill, and who uphold the American dream.

Nixon successfully carried this message through to his victory in November. His electoral success may have been even greater if he had not faced competition from third-party candidate, Alabama Governor George Wallace, who also criticized anti-war hippies.

Historians now generally believe that the strong opposition from the anti-war movement, especially towards President Johnson, ultimately hurt the chances of Humphrey and helped Nixon win the presidency.

Given this historical precedent, it is understandable that Biden and his campaign may be concerned about a similar situation unfolding in the upcoming election.

However, there are key differences between the year 2024 and 1968 that could potentially lessen the impact on Biden. Currently, the discussions about the war do not focus on having US troops directly involved, unlike in the Vietnam War era. Additionally, while Democrats may have differing opinions on issues like criminal justice reform, the party is more united on these crucial matters compared to the 1960s when internal divisions were more prominent.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Students and pro-Palestinian activists face police as they gather outside of Columbia University to protest the university's stance on Israel on April 18, 2024 in New York City. The protests come after numerous students were arrested earlier in the day after setting up tents on the university lawn in support of Gaza. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Students and pro-Palestinian activists protested outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. They were demonstrating against the university's position on Israel. The protest escalated as police intervened when students set up tents on the university lawn in support of Gaza. Several students were arrested during the demonstration. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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The anti-war protests in the 1960s lasted for years. It is uncertain whether the current protests, which are not as large as those against the Vietnam War, will continue to grow or fade away, especially with summer break approaching. A recent Harvard Kennedy poll found that young people aged 18 to 29 ranked the Israel/Palestine conflict as the second-least important issue, below gun violence, inflation, health care, and housing.

In 1968, political conventions could attract a wide audience through network television. However, in 2024, the media landscape is more fragmented, making it uncertain if the convention will reach a large audience at all. Additionally, social media has played a role in spreading harmful videos and images of antisemitic actions within campus protests.

And, of course, the individual aiming to win with the "law and order" platform in 2024 will have to navigate through various legal challenges. Despite Trump's call for a tough stance on protests following George Floyd's murder in 2020, his success may be hindered by his numerous criminal charges (which he denies) and the perception among voters that his presidency symbolizes disorder and confusion.

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Despite the current differences that set these situations apart, Democrats should consider the potential political threat seriously. It is important to stay connected with all the groups involved in this conflict leading up to the crucial months from August to early November.

Biden can learn from Humphrey's mistake by not ignoring the anger brewing beneath the surface. In 1968, Humphrey tried to drown out the anti-war delegates with the band playing "Happy Days Are Here Again" at the DNC convention.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the growing concerns within the Democratic party over the potential impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the upcoming November elections. The eruption of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, coupled with the ensuing clashes with police, has raised alarm bells for Democrats, who fear a repeat of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, where anti-Vietnam War protests marred Hubert Humphrey's chances of victory.

However, the article also notes key differences between 2024 and 1968 that could potentially mitigate the impact on Biden's campaign. The absence of direct US military involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the greater unity within the Democratic party on crucial issues, and the fragmented media landscape all suggest that the current protests may not have the same political impact as those of the Vietnam War era. Nonetheless, Democrats would be wise to take the potential threat seriously and engage with all groups involved in the conflict to avoid alienating key constituencies.