What was a significant outcome of the Tet Offensive on American public opinion?

The Tet Offensive, launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in January 1968 during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, represented a major turning point in the Vietnam War and had a profound impact on American public opinion. The offensive involved a series of coordinated surprise attacks on numerous cities and military bases in South Vietnam, including the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, which shocked the American public and contradicted the optimistic portrayals of the war by the U.S. government.

Prior to the Tet Offensive, many Americans believed that the U.S. was making significant progress in Vietnam and that victory was on the horizon. However, the scale and intensity of the attacks during the offensive exposed the vulnerabilities of American and South Vietnamese forces and suggested that the war was far from being won. This stark reality led to a significant shift in public perception, resulting in declining support for the war. Americans began to question the legitimacy and effectiveness of military strategies employed by the U.S. government, leading to widespread protests and calls for de-escalation.

Consequently, the Tet Offensive undermined confidence in the war effort, hastening the erosion of support for the Vietnam War among the American populace and contributing to a broader anti-war movement. This shift in public opinion is a key