1968: The Year That Changed America

1968: The Year That Changed America is a four-part docuseries produced and aired by CNN in 2018. Absorbing, informative, and at times deeply emotional, the series provides a comprehensive exploration of one of the most remarkable and tumultuous years in American history. Utilizing a diverse array of sources, including interviews and archival footage, the documentary presents an in-depth and engaging examination of the pivotal events and transformations of the year 1968.

The series starts by placing the year in a broader historical context. Referencing the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, counterculture wave, and the assassinations of prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the documentary provides a comprehensive overview of the social, political, and cultural atmosphere in the United States and around the globe.

Each episode focuses on distinct segments of the year, enabling viewers to follow the unfolding events in chronological succession. The series showcases this packed year through a variety of perspectives rather than subscribing to a singular narrative or viewpoint, ensuring it offers a balanced and complex representation that does full justice to the intricacy of these events.

Critically acclaimed and applauded for its incisive storytelling, the series does not refrain from discussing controversial topics. It delves into the deep-seated racism and segregation in the United States, the anti-war protests and violence that shook the nation, the societal shifts brought about by the women's liberation movement, technological advances, and the transformation of popular culture through movies, music, and television. One of the most exemplary undertakings of the series is its effort to demonstrate how these social, political, and cultural trends intersected and influenced each other, contributing to the dramatic changes that took place in 1968.

The series employs a rich variety of sources to create a vivid and empathetic picture of the era. Through interviews with scholars, journalists, politicians, and everyday participants of the historical events, the series brings to light personal narratives that provide a human touch to the larger historical context. Archival footage, from home movies to newsreels and broadcast records, is used extensively throughout the documentary, immersing the viewer in the chaotic, transformative time that was 1968.

While showcasing the tumultuous eruptions of the time, the series also emphasizes the impact of quieter moments, pointing to the subtler, yet profoundly influential cultural changes. This includes a consideration of the Olympics in Mexico, the representation of political satire in television, the significance of literature, and the flowering of art and music, illustrating the far-reaching implications of the year.

1968: The Year That Changed America is not just about the recapitulation of historical events. Instead, the series prompts its viewers to reflect on how these events continue to echo in contemporary times. It invites one to consider the enduring influence of 1968 on the country's political landscape, societal norms, and cultural practices.

By recounting this historic year through a multifaceted lens, the series helps in understanding how a single year can be a catalyst to long-lasting change, shaping the course of a nation’s history. It serves as a compelling account of how 1968 stands not just as a year, but as a symbol of monumental, dynamic changes that set the course for the America we know today.

Comprehensively documented, and through an engaging narrative, 1968: The Year That Changed America is not just a treat for history buffs but also for anyone interested in understanding the roots of the social and political dynamics that continue to shape the United States in the present day. It offers a deep dive into a defining era and encourages its audience to think, analyze, and reflect.