On March 31, 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson delivered a historic speech announcing that he would not seek reelection as President of the United States. This address, now known as the “Decision Speech,” was a turning point in American history and marked the end of one of the most tumultuous periods in the country’s history. In this JSTOR Daily article, we provide an annotated analysis of Johnson’s speech, exploring its significance, impact, and lasting legacy. Through a close reading of the text, we offer insights into the political and social context of the time, as well as an understanding of the complex factors that went into Johnson’s decision to step down from office. Join us as we delve into one of the most important speeches in American history and explore its continued relevance to the present day.
On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the nation for almost forty-one minutes during Sunday prime time. It was an era when there were only three major television networks, all of which preempted regular programming to carry his speech. President Johnson announced that he would not seek re-election in the 1968 election, leaving the nation stunned.
Before his announcement, Johnson spoke about peace in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, a topic that preoccupied the American people. The Vietnam War had been going on for years, and the search for peace talks had been fruitless.
In September of the previous year, Johnson made an offer that the United States would stop its bombardment of North Vietnam if it led promptly to productive discussions. Hanoi denounced this offer, both privately and publicly, and continued its preparations for an assault on South Vietnam.
Their attack, during the Tet holidays, failed to achieve its principal objectives—to collapse the elected government of South Vietnam and shatter its army—as the Communists had hoped. The Communists were unable to maintain control of any of the more than 30 cities that they attacked, but they did cause widespread disruption and suffering and made refugees of half a million human beings.
President Johnson announced that if the Communists chose to mount another round of heavy attacks, they would not succeed in destroying the fighting power of South Vietnam and its allies, but tragically, many men on both sides of the struggle would be lost.
Johnson renewed the offer he made in August of the previous year to stop the bombardment of North Vietnam and asked that talks begin promptly, with the hope that this action would lead to early talks. He took the first step to de-escalate the conflict by reducing the present level of hostilities, including ordering aircraft and naval vessels to make no attacks on North Vietnam, except in the area north of the demilitarized zone where the continuing enemy buildup directly threatens allied forward positions.
Johnson’s purpose in this action was to bring about a reduction in the level of violence that now exists, saving the lives of brave men and innocent women and children, and permitting the contending forces to move closer to a political settlement.
Johnson called upon the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, as co-chairmen of the Geneva Conferences and as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, to do all they could to move from the unilateral act of de-escalation that he had just announced toward genuine peace in Southeast Asia.
He designated one of America’s most distinguished citizens, Ambassador Averell Harriman, as his personal representative for such talks and asked Ambassador Llewellyn Thompson to be available to join Ambassador Harriman at Geneva or any other suitable place, just as soon as Hanoi agrees to a conference.
Johnson called upon President Ho Chi Minh to respond positively and favorably to this new step toward peace.
Johnson acknowledged the main burden of preserving South Vietnam’s freedom must be carried out by them. The United States and its allies could only help to provide a shield behind which the people of South Vietnam could survive and grow and develop.
South Vietnam had made substantial progress in building a durable government during the last three years, and the South Vietnamese know that further efforts were required to expand their own armed forces, move back into the countryside as quickly as possible, increase their taxes, select the very best men for civil and military responsibility, achieve a new unity within their constitutional government, and include in the national effort all those groups who have been underrepresented or excluded in the past.
In conclusion, Johnson’s announcement stunned the nation, and the events that followed after November with Richard Nixon winning the presidency and the continuation of the Vietnam War were history. However, Johnson’s efforts to bring peace to Southeast Asia were commendable and showed his commitment to ending the conflict.
