9 episodes

Fifty years ago, the country was rocked by a historic presidential campaign. The Democratic party crumbled, a new Republican era began, and the country threatened to split in two. Campaign '68 traces the twists, turns and tragic violence that followed Americans all the way to the voting booths. What began in '68 is still roiling American politics today.

Campaign '68 APM Reports

    • Society & Culture

Fifty years ago, the country was rocked by a historic presidential campaign. The Democratic party crumbled, a new Republican era began, and the country threatened to split in two. Campaign '68 traces the twists, turns and tragic violence that followed Americans all the way to the voting booths. What began in '68 is still roiling American politics today.

    "A fundamentally divided society"

    "A fundamentally divided society"

    Historian Rick Perlstein traces the country's ideological divisions from John F. Kennedy's assassination through Richard Nixon's campaign to modern politics.

    • 32 min
    The gender gap

    The gender gap

    Political scientist Lori Cox Han traces the growing role of women in politics from 1968 to now: "Women are not a monolithic voting bloc, and I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions out there."

    • 38 min
    Art of the spectacle

    Art of the spectacle

    Roger Ailes helped Republicans use television to get elected for decades. He was more politically influential than many politicians themselves. In 1968, Ailes helped Richard Nixon win the White House -- and he was only getting started. Gabriel Sherman, author of a biography on Ailes, traces how the master manipulator shaped elections from Nixon to Trump.

    • 27 min
    The politics of race

    The politics of race

    Historian Peniel Joseph explores how racial anxiety and resentment among white voters shaped the 1968 campaign -- and still shapes politics today.

    • 44 min
    4: Fault lines

    4: Fault lines

    Nixon uses a powerful weapon in new ways: television. Politics will never be the same.

    • 13 min
    3: A figure of destiny

    3: A figure of destiny

    Richard Nixon campaigns on law and order, while George Wallace rises on racist rhetoric. The run for the White House intensifies.

    • 11 min

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