Consequences Event Paragrahp

Question 1

What happened?

Answer 1

For the Tet Lunar New Year a ceasefire was declared, and the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) used this as an opportunity to launch an attack across Vietnam. This was further diverted by the Siege of Khe Sanh capturing the USA’s attention. It’s crushing military defeat for the NVA despite this, with 40,000 NVA deaths and 58,000 casualties compared to the 11,000 ARVN troops and 2,000 US troops deaths.

Question 2

Who was involved?

Answer 2

Nguyen Giap - NVA general
Lyndon B. Johnson - US President
William Westmoreland - US general

Question 3

When did it happen?

Answer 3

Tet Lunar New Year - January 31st 1968

Question 4

Where did it happen?

Answer 4

36/44 provincial captials, 64/245 district capital and opposition bases (USA, ARVN). Saigon relevant

Question 5

Death and destuction explanation

Answer 5

The focus of Tet on urban areas and US military bases devastated the Vietnamese people through large numbers of casualities and the destruction of cities.

Question 6

Death and destuction insight

Answer 6

This highlights that throughout the war it was Vietnamese civilians who were overwhelmingly the victims of the war. This is important because historiography of the war typically focuses on how Tet impacted US

Question 7

Death and destuction evidence - High number of deaths and devastation of cities

Answer 7

7,721 civilians killed total
6,000 civilians Hue
58,000/84,000 NVA/VC involved in the offensive killed, wounded or missing
11,000 of ARVN troops involved in the offensive

“A costly lesson paid for in blood and bone” - General Giap

The bodies couldn’t be retrieved
——————-
110,000-135,000 Hue citizens left homeless
“All that was left of Hue was ruins divided by a river” - reporter

Question 8

Death and destuction evidence - The executions and legacy of trauma

Answer 8

2,800 US and Southern collaborators executed on the withdrawal of Hue by VC, dubbed as ‘hooligans and reactionaries’, in a bid to protect their identity. Civilian deaths and executions impacted greatly upon family and friends who were left behind to grieve and suffer PTSD.
“Modern war affects civilians far more and far longer than combatants” - Historian Nick Turse

Question 9

Death and destuction evidence - celebrated today

Answer 9

Despite the terrible impact on Vietnamese at the time it is claimed as an important victory by the Vietnamese government.
“On a military front, the victory may have been limited. But the political victory was very significant.” - Foreign Minister Thach
The psychological shock on the US made them scale back bombings and enter into peace talks.
Today Tet is celebrated as a bright symbol of partiotism and determination.