Why was the Tet Offensive a turning point?

In what ways was the Tet offensive a turning point in the Veitnam War?

• Answer:

  Militarily and strategically Tet was a disaster for the Viet Cong,who were ultimately defeated with heavy casualties;after Tet,the Viet Cong (VC) withdrew into Laos and Cambodia and played a much reduced role in the Vietnam War. However,Tet was a major propaganda coup for the Communists.The attacks were launched in major towns and cities throughout South Vietnam,and initially achieved complete surprise.In USA,nightly news reports showed VC running amok in cities supposedly under secure US control,shooting down civilians, foreigners, and seemingly in control of the streets.US military reports that were being made public prior to Tet had been giving the impression that the US was winning the war;TV images of Tet suggested otherwise to ordinary Americans,and as a result many came to the conclusion that the Vietnam War was unwinnable. As a result,the antiwar movement gained strength in America and eventually divided the country,which sapped US willpower and hampered the military and government from conducting the war effectively