The document summarizes the effects of the Tet Offensive which began in 1967 when North Vietnamese troops attacked American positions. While the US was able to repel the attacks, the extensive scope and destruction undermined public support for the war in America. This led to requests for more troops but ultimately embarrassment for the Johnson administration and caused him to not seek re-election, enabling Richard Nixon to win the presidency and eventually negotiate a peace agreement and withdrawal from Vietnam.

1. Jason Yu

2. Background

 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.

3. Public Morale

 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.

4. 02/01/1968

5. Lasting Effects

 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

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