Before the Tet Offensive
In 1956 elections were to be held to decide on a formal government for Vietnam. Fearing that the elections would result in a communist government, the South Vietnamese never let the elections take place. Thus, the North Vietnamese launched an attack on South Vietnam. This was how the Vietnam War began.
Adhering to a commitment in defeating Communism, the Americans entered the war in order to help the South Vietnamese. As the first troops arrived in March 1965, the American media had full access to the happenings of a war for the first time in history. By August, the press corps in Vietnam were 419 strong.
Aided by Barry Zorthian, an appointed information czar, the media relayed nightly information to Americans regarding the events in Vietnam which supported the war effort. Based on the reporting, the average American was in support of the Vietnam War.
Adhering to a commitment in defeating Communism, the Americans entered the war in order to help the South Vietnamese. As the first troops arrived in March 1965, the American media had full access to the happenings of a war for the first time in history. By August, the press corps in Vietnam were 419 strong.
Aided by Barry Zorthian, an appointed information czar, the media relayed nightly information to Americans regarding the events in Vietnam which supported the war effort. Based on the reporting, the average American was in support of the Vietnam War.
Leaders During the Vietnam War |
"The plan for the Tet Mau Than (New Year of the Monkey) 1968 offensive was finalized in late summer of 1967 . . .The Tet campaign was designed to break the stalemate and achieve three objectives: provoke a general uprising among the people in the south, shatter the South Vietnamese armed forces, and convince the Americans that the war was unwinnable . . . To accomplish this, the offensive would target South Vietnamese urban centers." |
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