Under the influence of Eisenhower’s previous presidency, Kennedy made major decisions, such as the removal of Ngo Dinh Diem and formation of South Vietnamese Coup, which led the United States to war in Vietnam, under the pretense of communism.
Vietnam was always a U.S. foreign policy, but the United States role became pronounced after the Geneva Agreements of 1954. Prior to the Geneva Agreements, Indochina was under the control of France. The French had been in Indochina since the late 19th century, but the age of French imperialism in Indochina came to an end in August of 1954. During 1946-1954, the French forces were fighting against Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh in the Indochinese War. The United States had supported the French Imperialists because of Eisenhower’s fear of the world falling, like dominoes, to communism. Despite the United State’s support of the French troops, the Viet Minh triumphed at Dien Bien Phu in May of 1954. This event prompted the Geneva Conference. The Geneva Conference took place in July of 1954 with the agenda to restore peace to the Indochinese Peninsula. There were two agreements made at the conference; first, the French and the Viet Minh would agree to a cease-fire and a temporary division of the country along the 17th parallel. French forces would remain in the South, and Ho Chi Minh’s …show more content…
Kennedy administration was less concerned with Communism than the Eisenhower administration had been. Kennedy and his advisers feared the impact of one nation’s fall on other nations the world over; by merely watching the spectacle, these other nations would lose confidence in the power of the United States (Logevall 31). Having seen the public’s response to President Harry S. Truman’s “loss” of China, Kennedy was fearful of a similar experience. Kennedy built on Eisenhower’s Domino Theory to prevent his presidency’s
Vietnam was always a U.S. foreign policy, but the United States role became pronounced after the Geneva Agreements of 1954. Prior to the Geneva Agreements, Indochina was under the control of France. The French had been in Indochina since the late 19th century, but the age of French imperialism in Indochina came to an end in August of 1954. During 1946-1954, the French forces were fighting against Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh in the Indochinese War. The United States had supported the French Imperialists because of Eisenhower’s fear of the world falling, like dominoes, to communism. Despite the United State’s support of the French troops, the Viet Minh triumphed at Dien Bien Phu in May of 1954. This event prompted the Geneva Conference. The Geneva Conference took place in July of 1954 with the agenda to restore peace to the Indochinese Peninsula. There were two agreements made at the conference; first, the French and the Viet Minh would agree to a cease-fire and a temporary division of the country along the 17th parallel. French forces would remain in the South, and Ho Chi Minh’s …show more content…
Kennedy administration was less concerned with Communism than the Eisenhower administration had been. Kennedy and his advisers feared the impact of one nation’s fall on other nations the world over; by merely watching the spectacle, these other nations would lose confidence in the power of the United States (Logevall 31). Having seen the public’s response to President Harry S. Truman’s “loss” of China, Kennedy was fearful of a similar experience. Kennedy built on Eisenhower’s Domino Theory to prevent his presidency’s