The Tet Offensive
The Vietnam War was a conflict between South Vietnam and the Vietcong and North
Vietnam. The war began in 1954 and ended in 1975. The Vietnam War was "primarily
fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and
guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam" (bleep). The Vietnam War began soon
after the Geneva Conference divided Vietnam into the Democratic Republic of
Vietnam, or North Vietnam, and the Republic of Vietnam, also known as South
Vietnam. The Vietnam War began as a Vietnamese civil war and developed into an
international conflict in which the United States was profoundly involved. The
war ended following a successful offensive by North Vietnam, resulting in the
collapse of South Vietnam and the unification of Vietnam by the North. "On
January 31st, 1968 . . . the Vietnamese Communists launched a major offensive
throughout south Vietnam" (bloop). These series were known as the Tet Offensive.
Tet is the celebration of the lunar new year. It begins on January 31st and is
Vietnam's most important holiday. In years previous to 1968 a truce would be
declared for the days that encompassed Tet, to allow people on both sides to
celebrate this holiday. In 1968, as in the preceding years, a truce was
declared, but then the Communists launched a major offensive, attacking most
major cities in South Vietnam, including Saigon. The conjoined forces of the
United States and and non-communists in South Vietnam eventually defeated the
Communists, but the fatalities were numerous. The Tet Offensive was a major
turning point in the Vietnam War. (I think I need a different thesis statement)
Although the Tet Offensive was a military defeat for the Communists, it was a
victory for them in other days. "It daramatically contradicted optimistic claims
by the...
The Tet Offensive
I presume "(bleep)" and "(bloop)" indicate that your references are still tentative, as do "(Wirtz something)" and "(Moise something...)." Since you indicate, "I think I need a different thesis statement" how about the following: While the US was undoubtedly the greater military power in the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese prevailed because of their more effective propaganda, as evidenced by the Tet Offensive, and perseverance, as illustrated by the fact that they were willing to fight for over thirty years against South Vietnam and her allies.
5 out of 5 people found this comment useful.