What was the outcome of the Tet Offensive in 1968?

The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War, and its outcome indeed shocked the American public and shifted public opinion against the conflict. Conducted by North Vietnamese forces and the Viet Cong during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet), the offensive involved a series of surprise attacks on key military and civilian locations across South Vietnam. While the attackers faced a military setback and were unable to achieve their strategic goals, the scale and scope of the offensive contradicted official U.S. government reports that suggested the war was nearing a favorable conclusion for American forces.

The graphic media coverage of the Tet Offensive brought the brutal realities of the war into American living rooms, leading many to question the government's optimistic narratives and the overall American involvement in Vietnam. Polls following the Tet Offensive indicated a notable decline in support for the war, with increasing numbers of Americans expressing doubt about the U.S. strategy and objectives in Vietnam. This shift in public sentiment contributed to a growing anti-war movement and eventually influenced U.S. policy regarding the war, emphasizing the critical impact of the Tet Offensive on American perceptions of the Vietnam War.