Final answer:
The demonstrators at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago aimed to bring attention to their demand for an end to the Vietnam War and their dissatisfaction with Hubert Humphrey's candidacy. They used the media coverage to highlight the violent clashes between protestors and law enforcement, showing the internal divisions within the Democratic party and the broader national discourse on the Vietnam War.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the tumultuous period of the late 1960s in the United States, the Democratic National Convention of 1968 became a major focal point for national and international attention. The convention was held in Chicago, a city already inflamed with social and political tensions. The antiwar demonstrators that gathered outside the convention hall wanted to bring public attention to their demand for an immediate end to the Vietnam War and express their discontent with the potential nomination of Hubert Humphrey, who was not committed to ending the war swiftly.
The convergence of thousands of protestors from organizations such as the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other activist groups highlighted a significant cultural and political shift happening in America. The protestors' chant, "The whole world is watching!" underscored their awareness of the power of televised media to influence public perception and the course of politics. They wanted to expose the escalation of violence and the heavy-handed response of Mayor Richard Daley's administration, which deployed a massive number of police and National Guardsmen against the protestors. This encounter between law enforcement and protestors quickly escalated into what was later termed a "police riot."
The broadcast of these confrontations on national television not only revealed the internal divisions within the Democratic party but also highlighted the growing national divide over the Vietnam War and the broader counterculture movements. Within the convention hall, bitter debates raged over the party's platform, particularly its stance on Vietnam. Meanwhile, outside, a chaotic scene unfolded as violence broke out, with protesters and law enforcement clashing in the streets, all captured by TV cameras.
Ultimately, Humphrey received the party's nomination even as the convention exposed deep fissures within the Democratic party and the nation at large. The events in Chicago became a defining moment of the era, illustrating the power of media coverage to shape political narratives and bring attention to social issues.