What was the impact of the Tet Offensive on the American public?

Answer 1

The public had been told that the US was winning the war in Vietnam. Upon seeing the TET fighting on the TV news, it was apparent, that that was not the case. The government could say anything, but a picture was worth a thousand words. The public had been told that the US was winning the war in Vietnam. Upon seeing the TET fighting on the TV news, it was apparent, that that was not the case. The government could say anything, but a picture was worth a thousand words.

Answer 2

The Tet Offensive was a military campaign conducted between 30 January and 23 September 1968, by forces of the Viet Cong, or National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, and the North Vietnamese army, or People's Army of Vietnam against the forces of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), the United States, and their allies during the Vietnam War. The purpose of the offensive was to strike military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam and to spark a general uprising among the population that would then topple the Saigon government, thus ending the war in a single blow.

Answer 3

The American public had been lied to up to this point and many still believed the war was winnable. The nightly coverage on TV of the war lead more people to be 'discouraged' with the war. They became doubtful of the outcome of the war. People were shocked by the dead bodies on the TV screen. At some point Walter Cronkite (sp?) even made some comment in his CBS news broadcast about the war was unwinnable. Johnson (or Nixon) then supposedly madea comment to the effect'If we've lost Cronkite, then we've lost the country.'(sic)

To wit: after TET,MORE Americans became disillusioned with the war.

Answer 4

The Tet Offensive swayed public opinion against Lyndon Johnson and the war more than anything had up until that point.

Answer 5

The Tet Offensive swayed public opinion against Lyndon Johnson and the war more than anything had up until that point.