On January 30, 1968, communist-affiliated troops from Due north Vietnam and the Viet Cong (a distinct political organization) launched what became known as the Tet Offensive against South Vietnam and its American allies. The Tet Offensive was one of the largest military operations of the Vietnam State of war, and became a key turning point in the conflict.

The Tet Offensive was a surprise series of attacks launched during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year festival. Many South Vietnamese troops were on vacation when the attacks began, and the military was caught off guard. The campaign initially targeted more than than 100 cities and towns, including the strategic southern capital of Saigon, now named Ho Chi Minh City.

The Tet Offensive was a catastrophic military failure for the communists. Historians estimate as many every bit 50,000 communist troops died in the try to proceeds control of the southern role of the country. The South Vietnamese and American losses totaled a fraction of that number.

Although a military loss, the Tet Offensive was a stunning propaganda victory for the communists. In fact, it is often credited with turning the war in their favor. The South Vietnamese began to lose influence as Viet Cong guerrillas infiltrated rural areas formerly held by the South Vietnamese authorities. The offensive frayed the relationship between the South Vietnamese and the United States.

The consequences of the Tet Offensive extended to the The states. Many Americans began to question military and political leaders who bodacious them the Vietnam State of war would be won soon. In the wake of the Tet Offensive, popular U.S. journalist Walter Cronkite said, "Nosotros are mired in a stalemate [and] the merely rational manner out, then, will be to negotiate, non as victors, but equally an honorable people who lived upwardly to their pledge to defend commonwealth and did the best they could."

affiliate

Verb

to acquaintance or connect to something else.

attack

Noun

tearing attack.

Noun

metropolis where a region's government is located.

catastrophic

Adjective

very bad.

communist

Substantive

person or group of people who support communism, a type of economy where all property, including land, factories and companies, is held by the regime.

conflict

Noun

a disagreement or fight, usually over ideas or procedures.

effect

Noun

result or outcome of an action or situation.

country

Substantive

geographic territory with a distinct proper noun, flag, population, boundaries, and government.

democracy

Substantive

system of organization or regime where the people make up one's mind policies or elect representatives to do so.

distinct

Describing word

unique or identifiable.

emerge

Verb

to develop or come into view.

extend

Verb

to overstate or continue.

festival

Noun

twenty-four hour period or other period of time set to celebrate or commemorate an event, normally with a series of parties, ceremonies, or observances.

government

Noun

arrangement or order of a nation, state, or other political unit.

guerrilla

Adjective

having to practice with warfare conducted by organized groups of civilians, not soldiers or the war machine.

holiday

Noun

menses of celebration or honor.

infiltrate

Verb

to permeate or pass into something.

in the wake of

Phrase

following or resulting from.

mired

Describing word

stuck or entangled.

morale

Noun

emotional or psychological condition of a person or group of people.

negotiate

Verb

to talk over with others of dissimilar viewpoints in order to reach an agreement, contract, or treaty.

operation

Substantive

organized effort with a specific goal.

pledge

Verb

to guarantee or promise.

political

Adjective

having to do with public policy, government, assistants, or elected office.

propaganda

Noun

data or ideas specifically intended to assist or hurt the crusade of an organization.

rational

Adjective

reasonable or logical.

Substantive

regions with low population density and large amounts of undeveloped state. Likewise called "the country."

stalemate

Noun

position in which no decisive action tin be taken.

strategic

Adjective

important role of a identify or programme.

stunning

Describing word

stupefying, strikingly beautiful or astonishing.

target

Verb

to establish something as a goal or aim.

Noun

large-calibration armed conflict.

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    Author

    Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

    Producer

    Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

    Last Updated

    July eight, 2020

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