USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A credibility gap is a difference in perception between the government and its people. It occurs when there is a disconnect between what is being told to the people and what they actually believe. It became part of American culture during the Vietnam War.

Detailed explanation-2: -Credibility gap is a term that came into wide use with journalism, political and public discourse in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, it was most frequently used to describe public skepticism about the Lyndon B. Johnson administration’s statements and policies on the Vietnam War.

Detailed explanation-3: -Why did the Tet Offensive contribute to the credibility gap during the Vietnam War? Although North Vietnam was technically the loser in the TET Offensive, in its aftermath American citizens realized that North Vietnam would not be as easy to defeat as government and military leaders had claimed.

Detailed explanation-4: -As reports from the field became increasingly accessible to citizens, public opinion began to turn against U.S. involvement, though many Americans continued to support it. Others felt betrayed by their government for not being truthful about the war. This led to an increase in public pressure to end the war.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Tet Offensive proved that the American public were right to be suspicious of the Johnson administration’s positive spin on the Vietnam War. Although the administration had been saying that U.S. would soon win the war, the massive North Vietnamese surprise attack showed they were far from being defeated.