What was the effect of the Tet Offensive on American public opinion of the Vietnam War?
The Tet Offensive made the American public more pessimistic about the chance for victory in Vietnam and, just as importantly, made them trust their government less than they had. Before the offensive, the US government had been assuring the people that victory was just around the corner. They claimed the enemy was all but destroyed. When the enemy attacked all across South Vietnam in this offensive, it proved that those statements were inaccurate. This made Americans feel that the war was not being won after 4 years of huge troop presence in Vietnam. It also made them feel their government was lying to them and that reduced support for the war.
