Why is the tet offensive seen as a turning point in the war.?

Question

Hey! I need to know why the tet offensive was seen as a turning point in the Vietnam war.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Tet was seen as the turning point in the war because at that stage of the war the US assumed that the Vietcong could not mobilize that large of a force in a coordinated fashion.  At that time, the US government and the generals were telling the American public that the war was won and the Vietcong did not have the strength or will to continue fighting much longer.

Such a large offensive on many fronts, dispelled the myth that the war was being won by the US.  Even though the military effectiveness of the offensive was negligible the fact that the Vietcong could mount an attack of that size and ferocity made it a propaganda and political victory.  After this the American public began souring on the war because military victories were not bringing the war to an end.  Complete victory was not achievable with out a political solution.  Since none was on the horizon the US eventually withdrew from Vietnam.