What are some causes of the tet offensive. I know the tet offensive was when north vietnam and vietkong bombed 100 cities in south vietnam. but what are some causes of it?

As this article points out, North Vietnam was trying to break the stalemate between its side and the enemy. It also hoped that the people would rise up in support of the Communists.

http://history1900s.about.com/od/1960s/qt/tetoffensive.htm

thanks

You're welcome.

Thanks!!

The Tet Offensive, which occurred during the Vietnam War, was a major military operation launched by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong in 1968. It was a turning point in the conflict and had various causes leading up to it. Understanding those causes requires examining the historical context of the war.

1. Strategic Objectives: The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong aimed to achieve specific goals through the Tet Offensive. They sought to shock and demoralize South Vietnam and its U.S. ally, erode public support for the war in the United States, and force the South Vietnamese government to negotiate a peace settlement that would favor the communists.

2. Political Turmoil: South Vietnam was facing internal political instability and corruption. The government of President Ngo Dinh Diem, which was propped up by the United States, faced criticism for its authoritarian rule, lack of popular support, and failure to address socio-economic grievances. These problems created favorable conditions for the communists' recruitment and insurgency efforts.

3. Military Calculations: The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong believed that a massive coordinated attack during the Vietnamese New Year holiday (known as Tet) could achieve a decisive blow to the South Vietnamese and American forces. They hoped to exploit the ceasefire that was traditionally observed during this period, lulling their opponents into a false sense of security.

4. Guerrilla Tactics: The asymmetric warfare tactics employed by the Viet Cong, such as hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and the extensive tunnel network in rural areas, allowed them to blur the lines between combatants and civilians. This enabled them to launch surprise attacks in urban areas, catching the South Vietnamese and American forces off guard.

5. Support from North Vietnam and the Soviet Union: The North Vietnamese leadership, backed by the Soviet Union and other communist nations, provided substantial logistics, training, and weaponry to the Viet Cong. This assistance allowed the insurgents to mount a large-scale and coordinated offensive that was audacious in its scope.

To explore these causes further, reading historical accounts, analyzing primary sources, and studying scholarly works on the Vietnam War will provide more in-depth insights into the Tet Offensive and its underlying factors.