Question

What was the surprise attack launched by the Vietcong during the Vietnamese New Year?

1) Students for a Democratic Society
2) Hawks
3) General William Westmoreland
4) Doves
5) Tet Offensive

Answer 1

The surprise attack launched by the Vietcong during the Vietnamese New Year was the Tet Offensive. It marked a significant shift in the Vietnam War, affecting U.S. public opinion and leading to a reevaluation of the war strategy. Option 5

Step-by-step explanation:

The surprise attack launched by the Vietcong during the Vietnamese New Year is known as the Tet Offensive. This military campaign began on January 30th, 1968, when the Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces conducted a massive coordinated series of attacks against South Vietnamese and U.S. targets across South Vietnam.

Notably, the capital of Saigon was a focal point of these aggressive maneuvers. The Tet represents the lunar New Year, a period traditionally observed with a ceasefire, which made the offensive particularly unexpected.

Although the Vietcong suffered heavy losses and the offensive was a tactical defeat, the sheer scale and psychological impact marked a turning point in the Vietnam War. It exposed the overly optimistic claims of U.S. military leaders and significantly affected public opinion back in the United States.

The devastating images and reports of violence during the Tet Offensive fueled widespread anti-war sentiment and skepticism towards the Johnson administration's handling of the war effort. Shortly after the offensive, President Johnson initiated peace talks with the North. Option 5