The Tet Offensive

When was the Tet Offensive?

1968

What was the Tet Offensive?

Attacks that began on Tet Lunar New Year

What usually happened on Tet Lunar New Year?

Ceasefire

Why was there a ceasefire on Tet Lunar New Year?

ARVN troops were off duty for the holiday

What did the VC do during the run up to the Tet Offensive?

1. Drew ARVN and US troops away from cities and bases by attacking just south of the demilitarised zone
2. North Vietnamese suggested a negotiated settlement - making the US think that they were winning
3. Attacked high profile places in Saigon (US embassy, airport, radio station)

Was the Tet Offensive a failure for the VC and why?

Failure - they were almost wiped out, and US and ARVN troop recaptured cities and bases that were attacked eventually

What did the American public think of the Tet Offensive?

Failure for them

What had Americans been told about the war before this?

That they were winning

Why were the attacks a shock?

Vietnam usually used guerrilla tactics