US Involvement in the Vietnam War - 1301 Words

Involvement in the Vietnam War Over thirty years ago the Vietnam War ended, and the U.S. came back home with their tails between their legs and nothing to show for other than a high number of casualties, and a huge pile of debt. The U.S. underestimated the North Vietnamese army, and it was costly. Many believe that the Vietnam War was none of the U.S. business, but on the contrary, many believe we should have tried to stop the spread of communism. The long-lasting Vietnam War was unnecessary for the U.S. to be a part of; it put many people through unneeded stress and hard times. The Vietnam War was fought between North Vietnam communists led by their leader Ho Chi Minh and South Vietnam anti-communists led by their president Ngo Dinh Diem. North Vietnam was trying to taking over South Vietnam to make it a communist country. That is when the U.S. came knocking on South Vietnam’s door and gave them much needed help in 1950. In Eric Foner’s and John A Garratyâ€℠¢s essay, â€Å"Vietnam War,† they explain, â€Å"from Washington’s perspective, . . . [a]ny communist anywhere, at home or abroad, was, by definition, an enemy of the United States† because of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s â€Å"domino theory† (Foner). Eisenhower’s â€Å"domino theory,† was a theory that if communists took over Vietnam, they would gradually control all of Southeast Asia. The first aid given by the U.S. was to France. Willbanks explains in his essay that the U.S. provided France, a South Vietnamese ally, $2.6Show MoreRelatedEssay on The US Involvement in The Vietnam War1067 Words   |  5 Pages The Vietnam War was one of the worst wars in the United States history. The reason for the United States involvement was due to the start of communism in North Vietnam. The citizens in South Vietnam feared the control of North Vietnam and were worried that the north would take control of the south. The communist North Vietnam had support from the Soviet Union and China, making the South Vietnamese vulnerable to the north. In their time of struggle the South Vietnamese were able to receiveRead MoreAnalysis of Different Viewpoints of US Involvement in the Vietnam War1141 Words   |  5 PagesThirty-eight years have passed and the Vietnam War is still a controversial topic. While some Americans believe that Indochina was of no strategic value to the United States, others argue that civilian leaders have undermined the war effort. My paper will help analyze the different viewpoints for U.S. involvement in Vietnam and the overall assessment of each. Almost all the sources utilized ca me to the consensus that the chief purpose for U.S. intervention was to stop Communism from spreading. NeverthelessRead MoreThe Nature And Consequences Of Vietnam1576 Words   |  7 PagesThe nature and consequences of US involvement in Vietnam until 1968 are categorically characterised by Economic, Social, political and military linkages with the nation on both flanks of the demilitarised zone on the 17th parallel. The consequences associated, in regards to the United States escalation of involvement in economic, social, political and military relations in both South and North Vietnam, were substantial in the sense that the United States would ultimately shape a volatile politicalRead MoreThe Vietnam War1402 Words   |  6 Pagesinstability in Vietnam from 1950 to 1975 between the communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam during the Cold War era has led to the United States’ inevitable intervention in Vietnam. The main motivators for the United Statesâ€℠¢ incremental decision to intervene and commitment in Vietnam can be viewed as an accumulation of socio-political, political and economic catalysts. In recognition that there were many other factors that may have contributed to the U.S’s involvement in the conflictRead MorePresident Dwight D. Eisenhower And The Vietnam War Essay1086 Words   |  5 Pagesconference [1]. In that conference, he announced his so called â€Å"Domino Theory†. It was a substantial aspect of the US involvement in the Vietnam War, involvement in terms of its military support and methods used in Vietnam. Even though it was greatly enhanced by other factors, such as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, it was the trigger, and therefore the source of all US involvement in the Vietnam War. The main rationale of the theory was that if one country fell down to communism, all the surrounding countriesRead MoreUnited States Involvement with Vietnam Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States Involvement wit h Vietnam Although there are no specific, reasons as to why the USA became increasingly involved in the war, I can name many different reasons and aspects as to why they did. These reasons all link together in some way. These reasons range from long term to short term, and from financial, to political, and finally to full scale war. The origins of involvement can be traced back to the 19th century when the French had added a huge partRead MoreEssay on The War in Vietnam1662 Words   |  7 PagesThe War in Vietnam America became increasingly involved in the war in Vietnam, mainly because of the domino theory, the fear of the spread of communism. If South Vietnam fell to the communist the US feared that communism would spread throughout Asia and to neighbouring countries. The influence of the previous presidents also caused another main reason for the US to become more involved in Vietnam. But there is one underlining fact; if the ‘French had not left, AmericaRead MoreEssay on The Cold War from 1950-19801739 Words   |  7 PagesThe Cold War from 1950-1980 The period of 1950 to 1980 saw the Cold War spread from the traditional playing field of Europe to other parts of the world. However it is quite clear that the USA and the Soviet Union played only a marginal role in originating these conflicts-at the most setting up the basic framework for it to occur. Furthermore, when they did get involved they each did so to varying degrees. The USA seemed to be much more motivated and interestedRead MorePresident John F. Kennedy : A War On Poverty And The So Called Great Society1021 Words   |  5 Pagescivil rights† (Tindall and Shi 1050). His successor Johnson, committed to New Deal Democratic Liberalism, launched a War on Poverty and the so-called Great Society, a large array of social reform programs. However, since the US expanded its involvement in the Vietnam War, federal funds that were initially planned to be used for the War on Poverty, were instead used to cover the high war expenses (Tindall and Shi 1045). Many Americans lost their confidence in the liberal Democratic government and highlyRead MoreThe Tonkin Gulf Resolution on August 7 789 Words   |  4 Pagesgovernment in South Vietnam. Just like Kennedy, who was determined to pursue the fight against Communism around the globe and promising to â€Å"pay any price, bear any burden†, so was Johnson determined to accomplish his predecessor’s object ives stating: â€Å"let us continue† in Vietnam. Therefore, it is no surprise that â€Å"Johnson pledged to carry out the policies of the Kennedy administration†. Realizing the vast commitment needed to win the war Johnson searches for excuse to openly attack North Vietnam and not lose