America's Increasing Involvement In Vietnam example essay topic

Explain the reasons why America became increasingly; y involved in the affairs of Vietnam between 1954 and 1965. In this essay I shall attempt to explain the reasons why America became increasingly involved in the affairs of Vietnam between 1954 and 1965. There are many reasons which can explain America's increasing involvement in Vietnam but I believe the main reason was America's fear of the spread of Communism. America was following a policy of global containment. This was trying to prevent the spread of communism through out the world. America believed that if it prevented South Vietnam from turning communist then it would prevent the whole of Asia from following suit but if it didn't then communism would eventually take over Asia in its entirety.

America believed this because of 'the domino theory'. This was the analogy that if one country fell to communism all countries next to it would fall to communism because they would be under communism's 'sphere of influence. ' This chain reaction is similar to a row of dominoes falling. America for some time had believed that Vietnam would fall to communism. America believed this because the vast majority of the Vietnamese population were very poor and had very few possessions. America believed that when people poor, desperate and have nothing to loose they turn to communism.

This was supported by other American policies such as the 'Truman doctrine'. Also Vietnam was under a sphere of influence by Russia and China. So when civil war broke out, against the then colonial power, France, America decided to support her because of her policy of global containment. America financed the French, to fight a war to repress the communists, for $4 billion. However, France having lost 75,000 men, eventually conceded. Vietnam was divided in two along the 17th parallel and it was agreed that free elections would take place within two years to unite the country.

South Vietnam was obviously a lot weaker nation than France so America trying o stop the spread of communism began to rapidly increase financial support of South Vietnam. The new South Vietnamese government was a corrupt one, and its leader Diem soon became unpopular. He openly gave money and positions of power to his family. Soon the south of the country was effectively involved in another civil war.

Despite the financial backing of America Diem's regime began to lose the war to the communists. Desperate to prevent South Vietnam from becoming communist America began to increase their involvement in Vietnam. It would be America's desire to prevent the spread of communism which would be the main reason for her increased involvement in Vietnam between 1954 and 1965. Politics in America also played a major part in America's increased involvement in the affairs of Vietnam between 1954 and 1965.

The American public had for years been fed upon the idea that communism was intent on taking over the world. This began to be reflected in the American elections. There was a clear correlation between the success of communism worldwide and the public support of a president. It soon became clear that to win an election you had to take a hard line against communism. This can account for a major increase in involvement in Vietnam because John F. Kennedy, one of the American Presidents between 1954 and 1965 had already appeared weak when he supported a failed attempt by rebels to overthrow the Cuban leader, Fidel Castro during what is known as the 'Bay of Pigs', added to the fact that the civil war in Vietnam was being won by communists. Despite all the money and 'tactical advisers' America had sent, the Vietcong, a guerrilla group who supported communism, inflicted a major defeat at Ab Bac on an American army who as well as being technically far superior, also outnumbered the guerrillas.

The Vietcong also managed to capture the American Embassy, all be it for five hours. So in order for John F. Kennedy not to appear weak he took a firm stance against communism and ordered a vast increase in America's involvement in the affairs of Vietnam. By 1964 America had increased her involvement in Vietnam rapidly. Despite this, America's support was making little impact. America was beginning to appear weak in front of her enemies and allies. She couldn't pull out of Vietnam as this would be a clear sign of weakness.

America had already pledged that she would support anybody whose independence was threatened by communism. To go back on this would indicate that America did not mean all of her other pledges. This is supported by a quote from Senator William Full bright who said", If we don't win in Vietnam we will be shamed in front of the rest of the world. We will look a second rate power with failing courage and determination".

Desperate not to appear weak America decided her only choice was to win the war so America increased her involvement in Vietnam not just with money and troops but with the ability to take action in Vietnam. New American President, Lyndon B. Johnson increased America's involvement in Vietnam. He wanted to take a much stronger stance on Vietnam. When an American ship was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin he asked the American Congress to give him almost unlimited powers in Vietnam.

The American Congress obliged. This action is a clear indication of America's increased involvement. Overall, taking into account all this, I believe that it is possible to draw the conclusion that America's increased involvement in Vietnam between 1954 and 1965 was mainly because of America's belief that communism was going to take over the world. This was coupled with the fact that America wanted not to appear weak in front of their enemies and allies.

And, the American public wanted a President who took a strong line against communism. All of these factors contributed to America becoming increasingly involved in Vietnam between 1954 and 1965..