Hst301 Vietnam Research Paper
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Question 4What attitudes to Asia, communism and America’s place in the world were revealed by the United States involvement in Vietnam in the 1960’s.
There is no definitively acknowledged date that signifies the beginning of America’s involvement within Vietnam. Rather it is a series of events, establishments and decisions, ultimately made and determined by American attitudes and principles toward Asia, Communism and their own nations prestige, power and place in the world. Within this essay the aforementioned aspects and attitudes of the American’s in regard to Vietnam will be explored further. Through this exploration, and the subsequent explanation, it will be shown that American involvement in Vietnam …show more content…
in the 1960’s was a decision based on American attitudes of precedence, self-interest and prestige. To establish an insight to the reasoning behind the American decision to become involved in Vietnam, one must have an understanding of the pivotal events and decisions that ultimately lead to their entry. Lewy (1978) states, America’s involvement in Vietnam began as early as 1950, with the Truman administration’s decision to establish the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Saigon, to provide financial aid to its ally France, whom at the time was seeking to regain influence in the Indochinese region which it had lost during the outcome of World War II (WWII). Following the French defeat in the battle of Diem Bien Phu in November, 1954 the U.S presence within Vietnam was furthered. As the French retreated and their interest in the Indochinese region decreased, The American’s took over the ‘advisory role’ from the French. As American influence and presence grew, the animosity of the nationalist Vietnamese grew correspondingly. Ultimately,
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
in March of 1959, with Ho Chi Minh declaring the ‘People’s War’ to unite the torn nation of Vietnam, American involvement was culminated. From this point forward American involvement and military presence was only furthered with the increase of U.S combat troops and forces within Vietnam and with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in August 1964, which ultimately permitted the use of armed force on the behalf of the American’s and subsequently saw the arrival of American combat troops in March of 1965. Ultimately, Hobsbawm (1994) states that “the United States waged Ten years of war in Vietnam itself, until it was finally defeated and forced to withdraw in 1975, having dropped more high explosive on the unhappy country than had been used in the whole of the Second World War”. The U.S decision to become involved in Vietnam was a disastrous venture, that ultimately lead to an American defeat and disgrace. Herring, within his work “America’s Longest War: The United States and Vietnam” states that the venture would serve to be America’s longest lasting military presence and commitment, which not only cost the nation power, prestige and international reputation but also cost the U.S a national debt that was in increase of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of American casualties. Such information attested to by Herring provides us with the insight that the war of Vietnam, and the U.S involvement was not one of strategy nor financial benefit, rather it was a decision made upon the American nation’s self interest, fear of communism and concern with prestige and power within international terms.
The question of whether the ‘cost’ of the war, both militarily and in casualties, was really worth it is one that often arises when the topic of American involvement in Vietnam is
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
broached. Rostow (1998)within his Review Essay- McnNamara’s Vietnam War Recosidered states that, “Dean Rusk, Walter Rostow, Lee Kwan Yew, and many other geopoliticians across the globe to this day answer yes. They conclude that without U.S. intervention in Vietnam, communist hegemony—both Soviet and Chinese—would have spread farther through South and East Asia to include control of Indonesia, Thailand, and possibly India. Some would go further and say that the U.S.S.R. would have been led to take greater risks to extend its influence elsewhere in the world, particularly in the Middle East, where it might well have sought control of the oil-producing nations”.
Such a fixation was culminated and documented within the Truman Doctrine.**** Within the piece numerable policies were outlined. The two most notable were those of containment and deterrence- the effort to prevent and stop the spread of Communism and the effort to remain powerful enough that an attack on America was highly unlikely. The aforementioned policies were, fundamentally, the basis of many decisions made by the United State’s in regard to Vietnam. Quenter Lewy (1978) within his work “America in Vietnam” attests that the threat of Communism was a decision-determining factor for the American’s, “ The Ho Chi Minh regime had just been recognized as the government of Vietnam by the Soviet Union and Communist China. Mao’s government provided sanctuary, training and heavy arms to the Viet Minh (Revolutionary League for the Independence of Vietnam) which, despite the trappings of a mere nationalist movement, was increasingly evolving into a party openly committed by organization and ideology to the communist sphere”. Lewy (1978) then continues to highlight the fear that this new emerging
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
‘communist’ movement provoked within nationalist America, “ the U.S secretary of defence informed the president: ‘The choice confronting us (the United States) is to support the legal government in Indochina or to face the extension of Communism over the remainder of the continental area of South East Asia and possibly west-ward’.. The threat of Communism was one that was viewed as imminent and a direct threat to the Capitalist and democratic ways of the westernised societies. The Communist philosophy was in direct opposition to the values, customs and constitution of the United States. Essentially this is why Communism was seen as such a threat. It was a regime that undermined the pivotal factors that formed the foundation of the Capitalist and Democratic nation of America. America’s presence within Vietnam was fundamentally an effort to thwart this threat from spreading further (into South Vietnam, and consequently further south). Caudrey, in “Great American Speeches: The Vietnam War” attests that Eisenhower stated that the further spread of communism was the beginning of a ‘disintegration’ that would have profound influence. Eisenhower then furthermore likened the situation to a game of Domino’s- one country, a metaphorical domino, would fall to communism one after another. It is a significant theory in regard to American involvement. Essentially the threat of a growing superpower- Communism- threatened American society and place in the world. It was a widespread fear that if South Vietnam fell, as would Cambodia, followed by Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and, eventually, it would be more prominent then the capitalist/democratic regime. Such a theory was namely coined “The Domino Theory”, and was a widely accepted and applied explanation in regard to the fear and action taken in regard to the spread of communism and was supported by the administrations of both
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Kennedy and Johnston. It became the foremost factor in regard to the involvement within Vietnam by the American forces. The Anti-Communist view was resonant throughout most of the American civilian population. Due to this it was widely accepted that involving American forces within Vietnam was the correct thing to do given the situation. Essentially the sentiment, and the threat thought to have been imposed by it was what essentially formed the political campaign of, the subsequently elected, President J.F Kennedy. The election of Kennedy, and his consequent decisions in regard to Vietnam are firm evidence that Communism, its threat and it’s resonating fear was a highly influential factor in regard to American involvement in Vietnam.
The 1960’s were a period of time in which the attitude of the Cold War was still sustained and prevalent. The Vietnam War, and America’s involvement is a prime example of the United States’ fixation and concern with Communism, and exposes the relentlessness with which American nationalist view and policy condemned it’s spread. This Cold- War frame of mind meant that America was ‘wired’ to treat Communism, in any demonstration, as distrustful and insupportable. America’s involvement was essentially one based upon selfinterest- they involvement themselves and their resources in an attempt to ‘contain’ communism and to remain powerful and gratis from threat- thus essentially they involved themselves due to the threat of Communism, the preservation of power and international reputation, and the upholding of prestige. This, and the sustained Cold-War mentality meant that America continued to oppose Soviet Russia and, consequently, soviet ideals.
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
The prevalence of the ‘Cold- War’ mentality within America, and consequently the associated ideologies that were reflected and implemented within decisions made by the U.S within this period, lead to the United States increasing their commitment in Vietnam. Such an increase was achieved through a growing presence of combat troops and more aid in regard to finance, armaments and firepower. America’s furthered influence within Vietnam fostered hostilities. Within“American Tragedy- Kennedy, Johnson and the Origins of the Vietnam War” it is stated by Kaiser (2000) that “The long term causes of the American involvement in Vietnam, it is now clear, go back to the middle years of the Eisenhower administration, which decided upon a militant response to any new Communist advances anywhere in the globe”. Furthermore Kaiser (2000) confirms that the Vietnam War occurred largely because of the prevalence of Cold War policies adopted by the U.S State and Defence departments in 19541956. Thus American involvement, and the subsequent events that correspond with it, were a result of American ideologies concerning their place within the world order. Hillman attests that American’s possessed this self-image of themselves, as a nation, as a “champion of the free world”, and in having such an image, the nation and it’s government took it upon themselves to promote nationalism and stop communism wherever it may arise. The leaders of America felt it their duty to uphold, protect and share their values and customs of liberty and democracy. “American leaders did consider it vital not to lose Vietnam to a Communist-led insurgency directed and supported by North Vietnam, and this was widely share by the Congress, the media and the articulate public”, attests Quenter Lewy (1978).
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Such a concept is affirmed by the very fact that geographically and politically America would never have been directly affected by the happenings within Vietnam, rather it concerned itself within the War in an act of preserving democratic ideology, national honour and prestige, not just protection from the ‘growing’ threat of communism. The United States’ opposition to the expansion of the Communist ‘empire’ within South East Asia was an example of not only an ideological opposition to Communism, but also an act of selfinterest and prestige. This is supported by the presence of America in Vietnam within the latter years of the 1960’s. The U.S had made very little military progress and had had very little military success. Following the Tet Offensive in January 1968, despite it being a definitive exhibition of Indochinese victory, American forces remained present within the nation in an attempt to preserve or, miraculously, obtain lost prestige and national honour. Thus the focus, as is confirmed by Lewy (1978) within his work, the American focus shifted not just from a noncommunist South Vietnam, but rather a more presitigious consideration was to be given to how the American nation would be perceived if they either withdrew or were defeated. By 1964 it was deduced that Vietnam was vital to American interests of prestige, self-interest and power, and that the U.S would dishonour itself by withdrawal, thus they remained with Vietnam. In regard to the contributing factor of prestige, the involvement in Vietnam, on the behalf of the American’s can only become understood when taken into context. Prior the Vietnam War period of the 1960’s the influences of the Cold-War against Soviet Russia were prominent. Policies, such as the aforementioned containment and deterrent polices, were formulated during the Cold-War period as a result to the expansionist movement of the
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
USSR.
Due to this the spread of communism and the preservation of America’s international ‘power’, a focus on the spread of communism to Vietnam was created- an area of Asia that America had not previously been involved nor concerned with. It was American belief that appeasement, that had such been seen before WWII and throughout the Truman administration, was not one that would secure America’s place in the world nor ensure prestige and international reputation. Thus the U.S vowed to stop the aggression of Communism before it happened, and consequently became involved in Vietnam in an attempt to preserve World stance and order through the containment of Communism. Conclusively, the events, establishments and decisions made by the American leaders in response to the conflict within Vietnam divulge a plethoric insight into the ideals, values and views of American politics during the 1960’s. From the very beginning of 1950, when American involvement in Vietnam first became notable, a wide range of sentiments in regard to international relations was demonstrated and revealed by the American decisions made in regard to Vietnam. Through the decisions made in regard to their involvement America namely displayed their attitude toward the Asian nations, their principles in regard to the existence and expansion of Communism and their position in reference to their ‘place in the world’- their prestige, power and influence. America became involved in Vietnam in the 1960’s for a variety of inter-connected and reflective reasons. Essentially, the philosophy of Communism was in direct opposition to the capitalist and democratic system of Government of the United States. In fear of the spread of such an ideology America decided that becoming involved in South Vietnam was the best way to assure the expansion of communism was not achieved. This decision was not simply made based upon the fear of the spread of Communism, or the “Domino Theory”. Rather
it
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
was a combination of context and prestige that formed the determining factor. Following the Cold War America, having emerged as the ‘western’ super power, believed it to be the nation’s, and governments, duty to ensure that communism did not spread any further then it had- they were to use their power and affluence in order to uphold the idealistic values of liberty and democracy. Thus, in order to preserve and uphold this image and these ideologies action was taken immediately within Vietnam. Ultimately, the United States of America saw its global duty as one of defending against the expanding threat of communism, whilst maintaining international prestige, respect and power. They had perceived themselves to have a world destiny that was intertwined with the future of Asia. In this vision of themselves the Americans acted accordingly, involving themselves deeply within Vietnam in the 1960’s. As the war continued and the time spent involved spanned longer then was ever expected the attitudes of the Americans shifted slightly. Their main concern was still in regard to the Asian region, although the focus was no longer the containment of communism, but rather the preservation of national prestige in honour in the face of a defeat that was never to be foreseen.
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
References:
Ambrose, S & Brinkley, D. (2011) Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy since 1938. Penguin Publishing Caudrey, E. (1998) Great American Speeches: The Vietnam War. Birdseye publishing.
Dobos, N. (2008) Justifying Humanitarian Intervention to the people who pay for it. Praxis, Volume 1, No. 1. University of Melbourne
Dougam, C & Fulgham, D. (1985) The Vietnam Experience: The Fall of the South. United States, Boston. Boston Publishing company.
Grifford, C. (2005) How Did it happen: the Vietnam War. United Kingdom, London: Arcturus Publishing. Hellmann, J. (1948) American Myth and the Legacy of Vietnam. United States, Columbia. Columbia University Press. Herring, G. (2002) America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam. Boston, McGraw-Hill.
Hillman, R. (2001) Australians at War: The Vietnam War. Australia, port Melbourne. Binara Publishing
Hobsbawm, E. (1994) The Age of Extremes 1914-1991. Great Britain. Abacus Publishing.
Kaiser, D. (2000) American Tragedy: Kennedy, Johnson and the Origins of the Vietnam War. United States, Harvard University Press.
Lewy, G. (1978) America in Vietnam. United States, Oxford University Press.
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Rostow, W. (1998) Review Essay- McNamara’s Vietnam War Reconsidered. Society, September/October edition. Transaction Publishing
Stewart, R, Grant R., Sheehan, S., Woolf A. & Cornish, Paul. (2005) Atlas of 20th Century Warfare.United Kingdom, London: Arcturus publishing
Woodard, Garry. (2004) Asian Alternatives: Australia’s Vietnam Decision and Lessons on Going To War. Australia, Melbourne. Melbourne University Press.
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Question 4What attitudes to Asia, communism and America’s place in the world were revealed by the United States involvement in Vietnam in the 1960’s.
There is no definitively acknowledged date that signifies the beginning of America’s involvement within Vietnam. Rather it is a series of events, establishments and decisions, ultimately made and determined by American attitudes and principles toward Asia, Communism and their own nations prestige, power and place in the world. Within this essay the aforementioned aspects and attitudes of the American’s in regard to Vietnam will be explored further. Through this exploration, and the subsequent explanation, it will be shown that American involvement in Vietnam …show more content…
in the 1960’s was a decision based on American attitudes of precedence, self-interest and prestige. To establish an insight to the reasoning behind the American decision to become involved in Vietnam, one must have an understanding of the pivotal events and decisions that ultimately lead to their entry. Lewy (1978) states, America’s involvement in Vietnam began as early as 1950, with the Truman administration’s decision to establish the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Saigon, to provide financial aid to its ally France, whom at the time was seeking to regain influence in the Indochinese region which it had lost during the outcome of World War II (WWII). Following the French defeat in the battle of Diem Bien Phu in November, 1954 the U.S presence within Vietnam was furthered. As the French retreated and their interest in the Indochinese region decreased, The American’s took over the ‘advisory role’ from the French. As American influence and presence grew, the animosity of the nationalist Vietnamese grew correspondingly. Ultimately,
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
in March of 1959, with Ho Chi Minh declaring the ‘People’s War’ to unite the torn nation of Vietnam, American involvement was culminated. From this point forward American involvement and military presence was only furthered with the increase of U.S combat troops and forces within Vietnam and with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in August 1964, which ultimately permitted the use of armed force on the behalf of the American’s and subsequently saw the arrival of American combat troops in March of 1965. Ultimately, Hobsbawm (1994) states that “the United States waged Ten years of war in Vietnam itself, until it was finally defeated and forced to withdraw in 1975, having dropped more high explosive on the unhappy country than had been used in the whole of the Second World War”. The U.S decision to become involved in Vietnam was a disastrous venture, that ultimately lead to an American defeat and disgrace. Herring, within his work “America’s Longest War: The United States and Vietnam” states that the venture would serve to be America’s longest lasting military presence and commitment, which not only cost the nation power, prestige and international reputation but also cost the U.S a national debt that was in increase of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of American casualties. Such information attested to by Herring provides us with the insight that the war of Vietnam, and the U.S involvement was not one of strategy nor financial benefit, rather it was a decision made upon the American nation’s self interest, fear of communism and concern with prestige and power within international terms.
The question of whether the ‘cost’ of the war, both militarily and in casualties, was really worth it is one that often arises when the topic of American involvement in Vietnam is
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
broached. Rostow (1998)within his Review Essay- McnNamara’s Vietnam War Recosidered states that, “Dean Rusk, Walter Rostow, Lee Kwan Yew, and many other geopoliticians across the globe to this day answer yes. They conclude that without U.S. intervention in Vietnam, communist hegemony—both Soviet and Chinese—would have spread farther through South and East Asia to include control of Indonesia, Thailand, and possibly India. Some would go further and say that the U.S.S.R. would have been led to take greater risks to extend its influence elsewhere in the world, particularly in the Middle East, where it might well have sought control of the oil-producing nations”.
Such a fixation was culminated and documented within the Truman Doctrine.**** Within the piece numerable policies were outlined. The two most notable were those of containment and deterrence- the effort to prevent and stop the spread of Communism and the effort to remain powerful enough that an attack on America was highly unlikely. The aforementioned policies were, fundamentally, the basis of many decisions made by the United State’s in regard to Vietnam. Quenter Lewy (1978) within his work “America in Vietnam” attests that the threat of Communism was a decision-determining factor for the American’s, “ The Ho Chi Minh regime had just been recognized as the government of Vietnam by the Soviet Union and Communist China. Mao’s government provided sanctuary, training and heavy arms to the Viet Minh (Revolutionary League for the Independence of Vietnam) which, despite the trappings of a mere nationalist movement, was increasingly evolving into a party openly committed by organization and ideology to the communist sphere”. Lewy (1978) then continues to highlight the fear that this new emerging
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
‘communist’ movement provoked within nationalist America, “ the U.S secretary of defence informed the president: ‘The choice confronting us (the United States) is to support the legal government in Indochina or to face the extension of Communism over the remainder of the continental area of South East Asia and possibly west-ward’.. The threat of Communism was one that was viewed as imminent and a direct threat to the Capitalist and democratic ways of the westernised societies. The Communist philosophy was in direct opposition to the values, customs and constitution of the United States. Essentially this is why Communism was seen as such a threat. It was a regime that undermined the pivotal factors that formed the foundation of the Capitalist and Democratic nation of America. America’s presence within Vietnam was fundamentally an effort to thwart this threat from spreading further (into South Vietnam, and consequently further south). Caudrey, in “Great American Speeches: The Vietnam War” attests that Eisenhower stated that the further spread of communism was the beginning of a ‘disintegration’ that would have profound influence. Eisenhower then furthermore likened the situation to a game of Domino’s- one country, a metaphorical domino, would fall to communism one after another. It is a significant theory in regard to American involvement. Essentially the threat of a growing superpower- Communism- threatened American society and place in the world. It was a widespread fear that if South Vietnam fell, as would Cambodia, followed by Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and, eventually, it would be more prominent then the capitalist/democratic regime. Such a theory was namely coined “The Domino Theory”, and was a widely accepted and applied explanation in regard to the fear and action taken in regard to the spread of communism and was supported by the administrations of both
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Kennedy and Johnston. It became the foremost factor in regard to the involvement within Vietnam by the American forces. The Anti-Communist view was resonant throughout most of the American civilian population. Due to this it was widely accepted that involving American forces within Vietnam was the correct thing to do given the situation. Essentially the sentiment, and the threat thought to have been imposed by it was what essentially formed the political campaign of, the subsequently elected, President J.F Kennedy. The election of Kennedy, and his consequent decisions in regard to Vietnam are firm evidence that Communism, its threat and it’s resonating fear was a highly influential factor in regard to American involvement in Vietnam.
The 1960’s were a period of time in which the attitude of the Cold War was still sustained and prevalent. The Vietnam War, and America’s involvement is a prime example of the United States’ fixation and concern with Communism, and exposes the relentlessness with which American nationalist view and policy condemned it’s spread. This Cold- War frame of mind meant that America was ‘wired’ to treat Communism, in any demonstration, as distrustful and insupportable. America’s involvement was essentially one based upon selfinterest- they involvement themselves and their resources in an attempt to ‘contain’ communism and to remain powerful and gratis from threat- thus essentially they involved themselves due to the threat of Communism, the preservation of power and international reputation, and the upholding of prestige. This, and the sustained Cold-War mentality meant that America continued to oppose Soviet Russia and, consequently, soviet ideals.
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
The prevalence of the ‘Cold- War’ mentality within America, and consequently the associated ideologies that were reflected and implemented within decisions made by the U.S within this period, lead to the United States increasing their commitment in Vietnam. Such an increase was achieved through a growing presence of combat troops and more aid in regard to finance, armaments and firepower. America’s furthered influence within Vietnam fostered hostilities. Within“American Tragedy- Kennedy, Johnson and the Origins of the Vietnam War” it is stated by Kaiser (2000) that “The long term causes of the American involvement in Vietnam, it is now clear, go back to the middle years of the Eisenhower administration, which decided upon a militant response to any new Communist advances anywhere in the globe”. Furthermore Kaiser (2000) confirms that the Vietnam War occurred largely because of the prevalence of Cold War policies adopted by the U.S State and Defence departments in 19541956. Thus American involvement, and the subsequent events that correspond with it, were a result of American ideologies concerning their place within the world order. Hillman attests that American’s possessed this self-image of themselves, as a nation, as a “champion of the free world”, and in having such an image, the nation and it’s government took it upon themselves to promote nationalism and stop communism wherever it may arise. The leaders of America felt it their duty to uphold, protect and share their values and customs of liberty and democracy. “American leaders did consider it vital not to lose Vietnam to a Communist-led insurgency directed and supported by North Vietnam, and this was widely share by the Congress, the media and the articulate public”, attests Quenter Lewy (1978).
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Such a concept is affirmed by the very fact that geographically and politically America would never have been directly affected by the happenings within Vietnam, rather it concerned itself within the War in an act of preserving democratic ideology, national honour and prestige, not just protection from the ‘growing’ threat of communism. The United States’ opposition to the expansion of the Communist ‘empire’ within South East Asia was an example of not only an ideological opposition to Communism, but also an act of selfinterest and prestige. This is supported by the presence of America in Vietnam within the latter years of the 1960’s. The U.S had made very little military progress and had had very little military success. Following the Tet Offensive in January 1968, despite it being a definitive exhibition of Indochinese victory, American forces remained present within the nation in an attempt to preserve or, miraculously, obtain lost prestige and national honour. Thus the focus, as is confirmed by Lewy (1978) within his work, the American focus shifted not just from a noncommunist South Vietnam, but rather a more presitigious consideration was to be given to how the American nation would be perceived if they either withdrew or were defeated. By 1964 it was deduced that Vietnam was vital to American interests of prestige, self-interest and power, and that the U.S would dishonour itself by withdrawal, thus they remained with Vietnam. In regard to the contributing factor of prestige, the involvement in Vietnam, on the behalf of the American’s can only become understood when taken into context. Prior the Vietnam War period of the 1960’s the influences of the Cold-War against Soviet Russia were prominent. Policies, such as the aforementioned containment and deterrent polices, were formulated during the Cold-War period as a result to the expansionist movement of the
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
USSR.
Due to this the spread of communism and the preservation of America’s international ‘power’, a focus on the spread of communism to Vietnam was created- an area of Asia that America had not previously been involved nor concerned with. It was American belief that appeasement, that had such been seen before WWII and throughout the Truman administration, was not one that would secure America’s place in the world nor ensure prestige and international reputation. Thus the U.S vowed to stop the aggression of Communism before it happened, and consequently became involved in Vietnam in an attempt to preserve World stance and order through the containment of Communism. Conclusively, the events, establishments and decisions made by the American leaders in response to the conflict within Vietnam divulge a plethoric insight into the ideals, values and views of American politics during the 1960’s. From the very beginning of 1950, when American involvement in Vietnam first became notable, a wide range of sentiments in regard to international relations was demonstrated and revealed by the American decisions made in regard to Vietnam. Through the decisions made in regard to their involvement America namely displayed their attitude toward the Asian nations, their principles in regard to the existence and expansion of Communism and their position in reference to their ‘place in the world’- their prestige, power and influence. America became involved in Vietnam in the 1960’s for a variety of inter-connected and reflective reasons. Essentially, the philosophy of Communism was in direct opposition to the capitalist and democratic system of Government of the United States. In fear of the spread of such an ideology America decided that becoming involved in South Vietnam was the best way to assure the expansion of communism was not achieved. This decision was not simply made based upon the fear of the spread of Communism, or the “Domino Theory”. Rather
it
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
was a combination of context and prestige that formed the determining factor. Following the Cold War America, having emerged as the ‘western’ super power, believed it to be the nation’s, and governments, duty to ensure that communism did not spread any further then it had- they were to use their power and affluence in order to uphold the idealistic values of liberty and democracy. Thus, in order to preserve and uphold this image and these ideologies action was taken immediately within Vietnam. Ultimately, the United States of America saw its global duty as one of defending against the expanding threat of communism, whilst maintaining international prestige, respect and power. They had perceived themselves to have a world destiny that was intertwined with the future of Asia. In this vision of themselves the Americans acted accordingly, involving themselves deeply within Vietnam in the 1960’s. As the war continued and the time spent involved spanned longer then was ever expected the attitudes of the Americans shifted slightly. Their main concern was still in regard to the Asian region, although the focus was no longer the containment of communism, but rather the preservation of national prestige in honour in the face of a defeat that was never to be foreseen.
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
References:
Ambrose, S & Brinkley, D. (2011) Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy since 1938. Penguin Publishing Caudrey, E. (1998) Great American Speeches: The Vietnam War. Birdseye publishing.
Dobos, N. (2008) Justifying Humanitarian Intervention to the people who pay for it. Praxis, Volume 1, No. 1. University of Melbourne
Dougam, C & Fulgham, D. (1985) The Vietnam Experience: The Fall of the South. United States, Boston. Boston Publishing company.
Grifford, C. (2005) How Did it happen: the Vietnam War. United Kingdom, London: Arcturus Publishing. Hellmann, J. (1948) American Myth and the Legacy of Vietnam. United States, Columbia. Columbia University Press. Herring, G. (2002) America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam. Boston, McGraw-Hill.
Hillman, R. (2001) Australians at War: The Vietnam War. Australia, port Melbourne. Binara Publishing
Hobsbawm, E. (1994) The Age of Extremes 1914-1991. Great Britain. Abacus Publishing.
Kaiser, D. (2000) American Tragedy: Kennedy, Johnson and the Origins of the Vietnam War. United States, Harvard University Press.
Lewy, G. (1978) America in Vietnam. United States, Oxford University Press.
2012
[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Rostow, W. (1998) Review Essay- McNamara’s Vietnam War Reconsidered. Society, September/October edition. Transaction Publishing
Stewart, R, Grant R., Sheehan, S., Woolf A. & Cornish, Paul. (2005) Atlas of 20th Century Warfare.United Kingdom, London: Arcturus publishing
Woodard, Garry. (2004) Asian Alternatives: Australia’s Vietnam Decision and Lessons on Going To War. Australia, Melbourne. Melbourne University Press.