1963-1972: Confrontation in Vietnam: Tet Offensive

Question 1

When was Tet Offensive

Answer 1

January - February 1968

Question 2

What was Tet Offensive

Answer 2

During traditional holiday period the Vietcong launched a simultaneous military attack on US targets in SV. To stimulate a mass uprising. The events were televised by US media.

Question 3

Impact of Tet Offensive on US public

Answer 3

Made the public lose idea that they were the moral good guys.
Lose faith in having a war in Vietnam
Media broadcasted making Americans lose trust in Johnson gave rise to more anti-war presidential candidates
Psychologically American public felt they had lost

Question 4

Impact of Tet Offensive on US government

Answer 4

Led to Johnson approval ratings plummeting. Johnson also responded badly causing him to withdraw from 1968 election.
Led to more anti-war presidential candidates
Johnson advisors wanted a different way to approach Vietnam

Question 5

Impact of Tet Offensive on NV / VC

Answer 5

Militarily was a huge loss and took several years to recover all their losses
Had lost 25,000 Vietcong and 5,000 captured
NV successfully turned Americans away from staying in SV
Damaged claim of liberation front as many SV did not rally with the Communist

Question 6

Impact of Tet Offensive on SV

Answer 6

Showed how weak SV was
Showed SV did not need to unify against America due to American funding
Showed how easily SV could be taken by NLF soldiers hinting a SV defeat.