The Tet Offensive was a campaign in which the Viet Cong led by General Vo Nguyen Giap, would change the tides and relentlessly attack the South Vietnamese. The Tet Offensive was initiated by the North Vietnamese forces to expel the ARVN and to simultaneously spark or catalyze discontent, which would result in a rebellion against South Vietnamese government. The second objective was to end American support and faith in the war. The second objective was not fulfilled as the first was. While the first objective was achieved, the second did not. In fact, the Viet Cong forces had been sufficiently dispersed that Americans and South Vietnamese armies could counteract them and inflict losses accordingly. However, the Tet Offensive was covered in US media and public sentiment began to shift.
“Those bloodsheds and devastation caused by heavy fighting, together with pessimistic reporting, was brought directly into American living rooms, shocked every American who saw it” (Rohn). “Those bloodshed and devastation wrought by the heavy fighting, along with pessimistic reports, which was brought directly to American living rooms, stunned every single American who watched it,” (Rohn). One Gallup poll in 1968 showed that 46% of people believed sending US troops overseas was a mistake. This is in stark contrast to 32% who thought it was in 1967. Johnson spoke to a few “action officers” regarding this matter. According to the report, it would be difficult for critics to believe that we aren’t just destroying South Vietnam to “save” it. Instead, we want peace talks. The report, which was secretly compiled by military and political experts, does not contain an agenda.
The notion that escalation will bring about significant unrest is also valid. The Tet Offensive raised questions about the US government’s claims that it would soon triumph over the Communists. Many people had previously been optimistic about the war. Johnson, who refused Westmoreland’s troops on March 31, announced that he was “taking first steps to de-escalate conflict.” Hanoi then announced three days later that they were ready to discuss the Americans. On May 13, talks began in Paris. These talks were unsuccessful, but it was still a turning point for the war. On May 13, the US agreed to deescalate their conflict. Lefkowitz backs the notion that anti-war movements played a significant role during the deescalation process and eventual withdrawal.
While the Tet Offensive didn’t achieve the main objectives of the Viet Congs, it definitely made an impact on American support of war. It would be difficult to justify their continued presence in South Vietnam if the majority of Americans did not want to support war. The Viet Cong would benefit greatly from their eventual withdrawal as they would not be able to face an army that is South Vietnamese without any foreign support.