Skip to main content

Why did the U.S. become involved in the conflict in Indochina?

The short answer to this question is that policy leaders in the United States feared the spread of communism. Operating under a concept often described as the "domino theory," they thought that if Indochina, and after the overthrow of French colonialists South Vietnam, fell under communist control, the path to communist dominance in places like Thailand, Indonesia, and even India would be opened. The United States initially supported France in its struggle against the independence...

The short answer to this question is that policy leaders in the United States feared the spread of communism. Operating under a concept often described as the "domino theory," they thought that if Indochina, and after the overthrow of French colonialists South Vietnam, fell under communist control, the path to communist dominance in places like Thailand, Indonesia, and even India would be opened. The United States initially supported France in its struggle against the independence movement in Indochina, and when the newly-free nation was divided by the Geneva Accords, the support for anti-communist South Vietnam against communist insurgents backed by communist North Vietnam continued in the form of military "advisers" sent by the Eisenhower and Kennedy Administrations. But the struggle against communism faltered, and when the US-backed South Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem was overthrown and assassination (with some US complicity) the country descended into civil war. The true military buildup began in 1964, when an attack on American destroyers off the coast of North Vietnam became a pretext for the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which authorized President Lyndon Johnson to use whatever force he deemed necessary against North Vietnam. Johnson authorized a bombing campaign, and when Vietcong forces attacked American airbases, he began a steady military buildup that poured American troops into the conflict. By 1965-66, the United States was fully committed to the conflict.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more