Internet Exercise 1

Assessing the Tet Offensive

First read this excerpt of the February 2, 1968, press conference at which Lyndon Johnson commented on the unfolding Tet Offensive:

Then read liberal Senator Robert Kennedy's February 8, 1968, call for a wholesale reexamination of America's Vietnam policy:

Finally, read Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Earle Wheeler's February 27, 1968, report to President Johnson on the Tet Offensive:


1		According to President Johnson, had the Communists achieved either a psychological or a military victory during the Tet Offensive? What statistical evidence did he cite to support his conclusions?



2		Did Johnson believe that a change in strategy was necessary? Explain.



3		According to Senator Robert Kennedy, what had the Communists demonstrated through the Tet Offensive?



4		Did Kennedy believe that the United States could prevail in South Vietnam? Why or why not?



5		Was Kennedy in favor of a change in America's Vietnam policy? Explain.



6		What was General Earle Wheeler's assessment of the Tet Offensive? Did he believe that either side had achieved a decisive victory? Why or why not?



7		What changes did General Wheeler propose for America's Vietnam strategy?



8		Whose assessment of the Tet Offensive do you find most persuasive? Why?

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