The tet offensive was the real turning point in the vietnam war. Why the tet offensive was a turning point in the vietnam. A huge attack by the viet cong in various cities of south vietnam. The tet offensive of 1968 proved to be the turning point of the vietnam war and its effects were farreaching. Finalist for the 1971 national book awardin early 1968, communist forces in. With the shift in public opinion about vietnam, protests greatly increased in size and numbers. I have never heard any discussion of it on documentaries or visits to vietnam today well, the communist killed every person in the city hue which was the intellectual capital of all of vietnnam genocide or whatever name you call it happened there in 28 days. Washington thirty years ago this week, events in southeast asia changed the u. When the vietcong launched tet, during the chinese new year in january 1968, they switched their offensive to south vietnam s cities. The tet offensive marked a major turning point for the vietnam war because. The tet offensive was one of the first battles to be aired on television.
The turning point foreign policy research institute. This was a shock to the american public because the commander of all u. The 1968 tet offensive was the decisive battle for vietnam. The tet offensive was a carefully planned military campaign composed of surprise attacks on the republic of vietnam by the communist parties of north and south vietnam during the vietnamese holiday, tet. You will receive an alert when the book is available for less than the new or used price you specify. Why was the tet offensive a turning point in the vietnam war. This question has not yet been answered by history. Militarily, the offensive was a failure, as the north vietnamese army and its guerrilla allies in. Was the brutal battle of hue the turning point in vietnam. The tet offensive was the turning point of the vietnam war.
Unanswered questions why a maths teacher call a thief as 420. Prices for tet the turning point in the vietnam war by. The tet offensive was a coordinated series of north vietnamese. Why was the tet offensive a turning point in the war. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including the tet offensive. When the vietcong launched tet, during the chinese new year in january 1968, they switched their offensive to south vietnams cities. It had a huge psychological impact on an already doubting american public. Why was the tet offensive considered a turning point in the. In this classic work of military history and war reportagelong considered the definitive history of tet and its aftermathdon oberdorfer moves back and forth between the war and the home front to document. The tet offensive, the turning point in the vietnam war. Bibliography the tet offensive, the turning point in the. Many protesters realized that the tet offensive was the perfect time to attempt to end the war. Don oberdorfer moves back and forth between the war and the home front to document the.
A poor writing style hurts one of the best and most fair vietnam war books i have read. The conflict began with the haiphong incident, when the french crui. Mar 31, 2001 politically, however, it proved to be a crucial turning point in americas involvement in southeast asia and public opinion of the war. This book tells about the slaughter of vietnamese civilians by the nva and vc during tet. However, north vietnamese forces launched a surprise offensive attack on tet, an important national holiday celebrating the lunar new year. Oct 23, 2015 in general, yes it is true that the tet offensive was the turning point of the vietnam war and showed the military strength of north vietnam, since this was the point when american public opinions started to turn heavily against the war. May 19, 2010 the tet offensive was in 1968 which was a turning point.
In january 1968, the united states and south vietnam were convinced an end to the war was in sight. Why the tet offensive was a turning point in the vietnam war. As i related earlier in my turning point of the war, in a february 1993 piece in vietnam, while the chiefs of staff did not consciously betray their commander in chief, neither did they provide him with the kind of straightforward military advice to which he was rightfully entitled. Jan 31, 2008 the tet offensive was the real turning point in the vietnam war. Fifty years ago, the vietnamese resistance turned the tide against the united states war on their nation. As i related earlier in my turning point of the war, in a february 1993 piece in vietnam. Finalist for the 1971 national book awardin early 1968, communist forces in vietnam launched a surprise offensive that targeted nearly every city, town, and major military base throughout south vietnam. Why was the tet offensive considered the turning point in. Nov 27, 2007 the turning point for the vietnam war was the tet offensive of 1968.
The tet offensive was a turning point because it turned the american media and public against the war and made the military and johnson seem like a liars after telling everyone we were winning, and the nva and vc were unable to perform a major assault. What oberdorfer gives the readers is a special insight, flowing from excellent reporting, on the separate realities of what is reported and seen in the. Why was the tet offensive considered the turning point in the vietnam war. It broke the military strength of the united states in vietnam.
The turning point in the conflict was the tet offensive. Domino theory this map from an american magazine published 14th november 1950 shows how much they feared the spread of communism in the far east. As i related earlier in my turning point of the war, in a february 1993 piece in vietnam, while the chiefs of staff did not consciously betray their commanderinchief, neither did they provide him with the kind of straightforward military advice to which he was rightfully entitled. That said despite tets amazing victory on the battlefield, what was shown on the news was quite another story. In his book mandate for change president eisenhower later said that he thought ho chi minh would have obtained 80% of the vote if free. The tet offensive was in 1968 which was a turning point. Why was the tet offensive the turning point of the vietnam war. In one of the greatest ironies of warfare the vc, and nva were completly routed, and the vc for all intents and purposes ceased to exist as a fighting force. Vietnam war from the perspective of the vets who fought there on both sides, the memories, the vietnam war pictures and the humanitarian work that vwam now performs in vietnam. The lynchpin of tet was the capture of hue, vietnams intellectual and cultural capital, by 10,000 national. Why was the tet offensive a turning point in the vietnam. A skillful, gripping account of the turning point of the vietnam war.
Involvement in vietnam began in the 1950s when president truman aided the french in support of. Battle of hue tran cao van street part 4 tet 1968 vietnam war then and. The vietnam war was the only war the united states lost. Why was the tet offensive considered the turning point in the. People stopped believing what the government told them and instead formed opinions based on the medias footage and images. The turning point for the vietnam war was the tet offensive of 1968. The turning point in vietnam naval history and heritage.
The tet offensive of early 1968 was a turning point in the u. What the north vietnamese had done was carry out the first stage of their plan. Tet the turning point in the vietnam war don oberdorfer. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Dec 08, 2016 how many books have been written about this subject. His most ambitious work yet, hue 1968 is the story of the centerpiece of the tet offensive and a turning point in the american war in vietnam. When they were told that the war was likely to continue for a long time, the publics opinion shifted towards anger at military officials. The tet offensive was a turning point in the war for the support of americans.
However, the bloody fighting for saigon, hue and other cities actually resulted in. The united states entered the war in vietnam to defend the south vietnamese government against the communist revolutionaries in the north. Jan 24, 20 why was the tet offensive considered a turning point in the vietnam war. The answer depends on whos asking and whos telling. The richard nixon presidential campaign of 1968 began when the former vice president richard milhous nixon of new york launched his successful run for president of the united states following a year of preparation and five years of political reorganization after defeats in the 1960 presidential election, and the 1962 california gubernatorial race. Turning point of the vietnam war the tet offensive i. The vietcong and north vietnamese demonstrated that they could still fight. The tet offensive was considered a turning point in media coverage of the vietnam war what happened as a result. Viet cong is created viet cong is established in the south. In general, yes it is true that the tet offensive was the turning point of the vietnam war and showed the military strength of north vietnam, since this was the point when american public opinions started to turn heavily against the war. It convinced americans that the war wasnt nearly over. Americans began to doubt americas participation in the war and no long wished to be a part of it. Despite heavy casualties, north vietnam achieved a strategic victory with the tet offensive, as the attacks marked a turning point in the vietnam war and the beginning of the slow, painful.
I used this book for research on the tet offensive, hue, and saigon i used this book on research on the tet offensive, hue, and saigon. The lynchpin of tet was the capture of hue, vietnams intellectual and cultural capital. The tet offensive or officially called the general offensive and uprising of tet mau than 1968. The massive escalation of the war marked the beginning of american withdrawal from the conflict. Despite heavy casualties, north vietnam achieved a strategic victory with the tet offensive, as the attacks marked a turning point in the vietnam war and the beginning of the slow, painful american withdrawal from the region. On its 40th anniversary, alan woods analysed the events that led to the vietnam war and the significance of the tet offensive in bringing about the defeat of us imperialism, and drew some parallels with iraq. Jun 17, 2015 the vietnam war is the most prominent of the proxy wars during the cold war. The year 1963 represented an important turning point for the united states in the vietnam war. A turning point of the american war in vietnam bowden, mark on. That said despite tet s amazing victory on the battlefield, what was shown on the news was quite another story. Turning point in vietnam campaign by arnold, james isbn. The vietnam war was really a continuation of the first indochina war. It changed the entire way that the united states approached the war.
Tet the turning point in the vietnam war by don oberdorfer. In his latest dazzling book about americans at war, journalist mark bowden. South vietnames and the marine corp fought against the vietcong. In the early morning hours of january 30, 1968, the first day of tet, the vietnamese celebration of the lunar new year, soldiers of the south vietnamese national liberation front nlf breached the wall surrounding the american embassy in saigon. The viet cong were destroyed and this has caused turmoil right up until today in vietnams southern section. The short and and entirely incomplete summary is this. Ospreys study of the 1968 tet offensive, which was the decisive battle for vietnam 19551975. Turning point the price clip 8m 19s casualties of war veterans who cared for the wounded and dead reflect on the staggering casualties in vietnam, and describe their own modes of. However, the bloody fighting for saigon, hue and other cities actually resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the north. In search of answers to the vietnam tragedy add to wishlist. Before tet the american government and public were being told by the military that aggressive search and destroy tactics were winning the war. How many books have been written about this subject. Tet as a milestone along the way, not as a decisive turningpoint or. Turning points of vietnam war timeline timetoast timelines.
Arnold doesnt shy away from exposing how the press played a pivotal role in. Provides detailed information on the events leading up to and taking place during the tet offensive, a turning point in the struggle for the control of vietnam. The tet offensive was a turning point in the vietnam war, but one that irreparably poisoned american public opinion on u. In this classic work of military history and war reportage. The vietnamization program was the turning point of the vietnam war and caused it to end the war after a couple of years. Fifty years on how the tet offensive turned the war. This is the first time i read a vietnam war book written by an america, very proud about the vietnam army, i was surprised that the america call the vietcong is terrorist in this period, but its understandable, this book help me understand well the war in the lunar new year 1968 that we studied not much in school. May 19, 2008 the tet offensive was a turning point because it turned the american media and public against the war and made the military and johnson seem like a liars after telling everyone we were winning, and the nva and vc were unable to perform a major assault.
Learn about events such as the battle of ap bac, the buddhist crisis and the assassination of ngo. Essay on the tet offensive of the vietnam war 2394 words. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Why was the tet offensive considered a turning point in the vietnam war. Why was the tet offensive the turning point of the vietnam. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Why was the tet offensive considered a turning point in. If american troops had stayed, the fighting would have continued for a few more years until one side surrendered or the american troops were taken out. Vietnam war a memoir history of vietnam turning point.
Masterminded by the brilliant north vietnamese general, vo nguyen giap, it was intended to trigger a general uprising in south vietnam. Many college faculty and students against the vietnam war abandoned their classes and gathered informally to discuss the issues in a new form of protest called. Jun 09, 2016 it had a huge psychological impact on an already doubting american public. This political cartoon depicts the common public opinion that the vietnam war is dirty and want the war to end. Mar 01, 2001 politically, however, it proved to be a crucial turning point in americas involvement in southeast asia and public opinion of the war. Greg daddis, usa ret, talks about how the tet offensive was a turning point for the vietnam war. A turning point of the american war in vietnam 1st edition by mark bowden. Turning points of vietnam war timeline created by cchanhistory12. However, the key to understanding the vietnam war in general, and the 1968 tet offensive in particular, lies not in the then new and trendy counterinsurgency theories propagated by civilian academic experts and their soul mates within the military who arrogantly believed that with the tools of social science they could change the world. In january, 1968 the tet offensive of the vietnam war was launched. Politically, however, it proved to be a crucial turning point in americas involvement in southeast asia and public opinion of the war. Turning point of the vietnam war the tet offensive i the. The tet offensive first came to the attention of the u. Jan 29, 2018 military historian and professor, col.
Buy tet the turning point in the vietnam war new ed by oberdorfer, mr. One of the greatest mysteries of the vietnam war is how the allied military victory achieved during the 1968 tet offensivea victory so complete that for the rest of the war the viet cong guerrillas could never again play a significant military rolewas ultimately turned into a crippling american. In simple terms the majority of americans were against the war. Jan 16, 2008 the viet cong were destroyed and this has caused turmoil right up until today in vietnam s southern section.