The Tet Offensive

Jason Yu

The Tet Offensive actually started in

September of 1967 when PAVN troops attacked American positions to test if they would retaliate.

The North Vietnamese government realized that American troops would remain in defensive positions and that attacking them with mass numbers could lure them out of population centers.

Background

Although General Westmoreland was able to

use the Tet Offensive as an outlet to request 206,000 more troops, the series of attacks ultimately decimated American public support for the war effort.

Walter Cronkite, the “most trusted man in America”, reported on the Tet offensive because of the scale and devastation of the attacks.

Public Morale

02/01/1968

The Tet Offensive eventually led to

embarrassment for the LBJ administration and ultimately caused him to not seek re-election

This unexpected change in Democratic Party organization eventually led to the Republican candidate, Richard Nixon to win.

Although the peace talks started under LBJ in 1968, Richard Nixon ultimately helped to secure an “honorable withdrawal” from Vietnam

Lasting Effects

02/01/1968

02/02/1968