Schmitz, Tet Offensive, Ch. 4-5 (34 pg) (one of the required books)

To guide your reading:

Embarrassingly, my syllabus does not have a day for us to discuss Ch. 3. I do apologize: if I had caught my error any earlier I would have corrected it some other way. I considered cancelling other readings, or having us meet during finals(!) but I have settled on trying to give you the gist of Ch. 3. This means there is some extra reading, but it is better than the alternative…

CHANGE FROM SYLLABUS: selected bits of Ch. 3 AND Ch. 4-5 (43 pg)

84-top of 87: Before the Tet Offensive began, what information did the U.S. (and allies) have about it? What conclusions did they draw?

89-bottom of 90: What were the stated goals of the Tet Offensive in the Hanoi government’s plans?

Short version of the Tet Offensive: In January 1968, North Vietnam attacked more than 100 bases across S. Vietnam. The U.S. inflicted massive casualties on them (10,000 N. Vietnamese casualties vs. 249 U.S. casualties (p. 96)) but the North Vietnamese continued to produce more fighters (103). They also regained control of many rural areas (106), though the U.S. secured most of the major cities after a few weeks of heavy fighting (96).

111-117: What immediate effects did the Tet Offensive have within the U.S.?

Ch. 4: What specific effects did the Tet Offensive have within the U.S. (starting in March 1968, that is, in Chapter 4…)?

Ch. 5: What is the “television thesis” and how does Schmitz attempt to refute it? Do you find his argument convincing?

Appy, Patriots excerpts (13 pgs)

To guide your reading:

What factors led to a blurring of clear combat boundaries during the Vietnam War? (Consider the details shared in the interviews that would contribute to this).

Consider the highly advanced technology the U.S. had, including not only weapons but helicopters, construction equipment, rations, etc. How did this technology shape the experience of individuals in this war? (You could draw upon Ripcord as well as Appy in thinking about this).

What effects did the war have on Vietnamese society (including the experience of Americans in Vietnam during the war)?

What specific details left a lasting impression or had a lasting effect on these participants?

Nolan, Ripcord excerpts (17 pgs)

To guide your reading:

For this reading, focus on the way that the specific technology (helicopters, firebases, grenades, etc.) and the jungle setting shaped the experience of the battle.

Even before the battle starts, what clues can you find to the overall mindset of the soldiers at Ripcord? What were their daily concerns? How was their experience similar to or different from soldiers in other times or places?

What mistakes did the U.S. soldiers make leading up to the night attack? What strategies and resources did each side have in the attack on Hill 902 during the siege of Ripcord? How did the soldiers react during the battle?

We will specifically trace the theme of surprise (and avoiding surprise, and the opposite of surprise—that is, knowledge) through this battle.

Schmitz, Tet Offensive, Intro and Ch. 2 (37 pgs) (This is one of the required books for the semester)

Note: Details of the format of the Final Exam have been posted here (under Readings and Handouts)

To guide your reading:

According to the introduction, what is Schmitz’ thesis? What other historical interpretations is he trying to refute?

Before the Tet Offensive, what strategies and views did US policy-makers have for the war, and on what grounds? What different views on the war were present in public opinion, and what arguments were made against the war?

Appy, Patriots excerpts (13 pgs)

Note: Details of the format of the Final Exam have been posted here (under Readings and Handouts)

To guide your reading:

What factors led to a blurring of clear combat boundaries during the Vietnam War? (Consider the details shared in the interviews that would contribute to this).

Consider the highly advanced technology the U.S. had, including not only weapons but helicopters, construction equipment, rations, etc. How did this technology shape the experience of individuals in this war? (You could draw upon Ripcord as well as Appy in thinking about this).

What effects did the war have on Vietnamese society (including the experience of Americans in Vietnam during the war)?

What specific details left a lasting impression or had a lasting effect on these participants?