The Vietnam War was one of the most divisive conflicts in American history. The drawn out clash grew from a financial show of support for an ally to an endless war that cost American lives,and confidence. The war dragged on for years despite growing peace movements and disillusionment with the government. Despite all this America stayed involved in the war for decades. Understanding why America stayed in the conflict is important to understanding the second half of 20th century America. America became involved in Vietnam due to its policy of containment under the Truman Doctrine. As France retreated in the face of radical nationalists in Indochina, America moved in in an attempt to push back the rising tide of communism in the area. America’s
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This was used by each Administration up to at least Nixon to justify military actions around the globe. Communism was seen as a virus that if left alone would spread uncontrollably until America, with its liberty and capitalism, would be “an island” surrounded by hostile states (Hearts and Minds). This policy made backing off an issue or conflict to be very difficult; any sign of weakness could be exploited by the communists and then the dominos would start falling. This can be seen in America’s decision to continue backing prime minister Diem. Diem was very unpopular, he was a Catholic in a Buddhist state. By 1955 America was aware of this, but “the decision to back Diem [had] gone to the point of no return” (Schaller, p.246). In the documentary Hearts and Minds(1974) Johnson’s Secretary of Defense, Clark Clifford, admits that he now knows that “the domino theory was wrong” (Hearts and Minds). At the time though the domino theory was one of the primary driving forces keeping America in the war and a cause of the escalation that would take place after
This was used by each Administration up to at least Nixon to justify military actions around the globe. Communism was seen as a virus that if left alone would spread uncontrollably until America, with its liberty and capitalism, would be “an island” surrounded by hostile states (Hearts and Minds). This policy made backing off an issue or conflict to be very difficult; any sign of weakness could be exploited by the communists and then the dominos would start falling. This can be seen in America’s decision to continue backing prime minister Diem. Diem was very unpopular, he was a Catholic in a Buddhist state. By 1955 America was aware of this, but “the decision to back Diem [had] gone to the point of no return” (Schaller, p.246). In the documentary Hearts and Minds(1974) Johnson’s Secretary of Defense, Clark Clifford, admits that he now knows that “the domino theory was wrong” (Hearts and Minds). At the time though the domino theory was one of the primary driving forces keeping America in the war and a cause of the escalation that would take place after