The Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War: Sound Familiar?

The 40th anniversary of the start of the Tet Offensive is on January 30th. The Tet Offensive of 1968 convinced even more Americans that the Vietnam War was not worth the costs.

Although American and South Vietnamese response to the communist attack ended in a military defeat for the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong, the sudden, widespread attack by communist forces proved that claims that the communists were near defeat and surrender were unfounded. President Nixon entered office in 1969 determined to withdraw American troops and place more responsibility for the war on the South Vietnamese.

However, disagreements with the South Vietnamese government and opposition to the war at home hampered his efforts for a negotiated withdrawal.

There are many parallels in the unpopular Vietnam War and the current War in Iraq. Students can gain understanding of how the results of the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War resemble the recent Surge in Iraq, and ultimately the fate of the U.S. presence. Both situations argued for our presence and victory -- the defeat of the Communists and the defeat of terrorists.

Assign students to write a report of approximately 200 words that utilizes at least three resources. Student reports should address essential questions for critical thinking. The following are examples, but teachers can create others:

• How do the reasons for sending troops to Vietnam and Iraq compare?
  
  
• How do the results of the Tet Offensive compare with the results of the Surge?
  
  
• Why was victory in Vietnam determined not to be a possibility?
  
  
• Is victory in Iraq a possibility -- why or why not?
  
  
• How do the costs of conducting each war in terms of lives, rehabilitation, and national financial consequences compare?

Pathfinder: Click the 1960s icon > Select Vietnam War

Consider utilizing our fresh ProQuest models for student PowerPoint (engaging issues or essential questions) and written reports.