The year sees a worldwide series of protests, led largely by students and workers, as millions demonstrate against the Vietnam War as well as political and social conditions in their own countries. The West German state reacts with police force and the passage of the Emergency Acts. The violent clashes between demonstrators, police, and counter-demonstrators include an assassination attempt on prominent student leader Rudi Dutschke, who is shot and seriously injured following a public propaganda campaign to “Stop Dutschke Now!” in the tabloid Bild.
The Eastern Bloc has its own rebellions to contend with; in Prague the reform movement known as the Prague Spring, led by Alexander Dubček, begins promisingly, but is violently put down in August by invading troops from five Warsaw Pact countries; the invasion leads to what becomes known as the Brezhnev Doctrine, which confirms that the USSR will intervene in any liberalization movements or uprisings in the Eastern Bloc.
The GDR adopts its strictest measures to date regarding travel between the two Germanys with the requirement of passports and visas for tourist and transit traffic between the FRG and West Berlin.
In the U.S., Richard M. Nixon is elected president in November and is inaugurated the following January.
1968 A State of Emergency
The Prague Spring, an experiment in democratic socialism led by Alexander Dubček, is violently put down as Warsaw Pact troops march into Czechoslovakia. August 21: Czechs protest Soviet tanks with a blood-stained flag and raised fists.
As West Berlin students demonstrate against Vietnam, the public begins to protest against the students. Berliners burn red flags seized from demonstrating students.
February 17: Rudi Dutschke addresses the International Vietnam Congress in West Berlin. In April he becomes the victim of an assassination attempt; he survives but is severely wounded.
