Lesson Plan : The Tet Offensive

Teacher Name:
 Patrick Benvie
Grade:
 Grade 9-10
Subject:
 Social Studies

Topic:
 The Tet Offensive
Content:
 Events leading up to the first offensive by the Veit Cong. Why did American military advisors declare victory while the media and citizens saw another military failure.
Goals:
 The students will have a better understanding of the offensive and why the media was on the military's side until Tet.
Objectives:
 After a lecture the students will answer questions which I have given them in a seperate handout. These questions will include the major events of the battle. Did they think it was a military failure or victory? Why?
Materials:
 
Introduction:
 The Tet offensive was a major turning point in the Vietnam War. Up until this point America's troops were on the offensive. After a truce was declared during the Tet holiday the Viet Cong (VC) attacked the marine base at Khe San. This battle was only a diversion for something bigger farther south. On January 30, 1968 the VC and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) simultaneously attacked 27 different American military installations at the same time. The fighting was intense but American troops killed or captured a large bulk of the VC and NVA. The fighting was most intense in the city of Hue where the VC actually captured the city for a short while but was eventually taken back by US soldiers. This was declared a military victory. The VC and NVA took no land and 40,000 communist troops were killed while America suffered only 3, ooo deaths. The Tet offensive was the straw that broke the camels back. Walter Cronkite famously announced to his audience after the offensive that America was locked in a stalemate and the war could not be won. The American people felt betrayed by Washington and the credibility gap continued to widen until President Johnson announced he will not be seeking reelection in 1968.
Development:
 Each student will be given a handout of questions regarding the Tet Offensive. After working in groups to answer the questions they will present their findings to the class.
Practice:
 
Accommodations:
 
Checking For Understanding:
 There will be a quiz in the next class regarding the material in the text along with what was lectured in class.
Closure:
 The students will present their answers to the class from the handout of questions.
Evaluation:
 
Teacher Reflections:
 

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