Going to War in Vietnam
The formidable fear that the United States possessed of dissimilar beliefs and other powers spreading foreign systems of government and economic regulation across the world contributed heavily to the anticommunist movement in the Vietnam War.
Events
The main events that show that fear drove the United States to become involved in the Vietnam War include the Domino Theory, the Fall of China to communism, and the start of the Korean War.
Domino Theory
The Vietnam War was driven by the Domino Theory, the belief that the fall of one country into communism means far greater risk of its neighbors falling into a communist system as well. For the United States government, the collapse of these countries into communism meant less trade, less smooth international relations and, of course, less power over the world. Due to the fear of Vietnam being a communist country, and the fear of the rest of Southeast Asia following this influence, the US became involved in the Vietnam War.
The Vietnamese people did not want to be ruled by foreigners, and preferred reform of the traditional, autocratic French government or independence over rule of Japan or any other country for fear that they would no longer have control of their own lives. To rebel against dominating outside forces, the Vietminh was created. This was a nationalist group that united both communists and non-communists to expel Japan’s forces. However, France had no intention of allowing the Vietminh to take over, so French troops entered and began to fight the Vietnamese people. Soon they looked to the US for support.
The fall of China, the start of the Korean War, and a strong belief in the domino theory convinced President Truman to aid France.
The Vietnamese people did not want to be ruled by foreigners, and preferred reform of the traditional, autocratic French government or independence over rule of Japan or any other country for fear that they would no longer have control of their own lives. To rebel against dominating outside forces, the Vietminh was created. This was a nationalist group that united both communists and non-communists to expel Japan’s forces. However, France had no intention of allowing the Vietminh to take over, so French troops entered and began to fight the Vietnamese people. Soon they looked to the US for support.
The fall of China, the start of the Korean War, and a strong belief in the domino theory convinced President Truman to aid France.
Context
The political and economic and geographical situations before and during the
Vietnam War created an environment for disagreement and conflict between countries.
Vietnam War created an environment for disagreement and conflict between countries.
Political ClimateThe United States government saw Vietnam as an opportunity to regain power and recover from the ‘loss of China’ into communism experienced in 1949. The differences in government systems created a foundation of fear that would slowly develop into conflict. Without the motivation from previous fights against communism, President Truman’s decision to enter the Vietnam War may have had a different outcome. This political history caused Truman to want revenge, and fight harder for power over the world than ever before. GeographyAt the beginning of the war, the terrain of Vietnam presented to be a challenge to the United Stares army. Dense jungles composed a majority of Vietnam’s landscape. This caused the US army to use napalm bombs to counter the thick foliage and used aircraft to destroy troops and vehicles below. Agent Orange and other chemicals were used in many areas to create barren areas and deprive the enemy of cover. The army had to adjust fighting strategies to fit with the dense jungles and uneven ground.
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Economic ClimateDuring this time period, the United States wanted to share its systems of liberty, equality, and democracy with the rest of the world and make peace among trade countries. This, the government thought, would promote international stability. The US fought relentlessly for free trade and the elimination of trade barriers to create “economic growth home and abroad.” Unfortunately, not all the countries believed that the ways of our country were correct, and this put much of the world in a situation of disagreement regarding economic systems. Due to the lack of compromise, this intense fear of foreign ways began to take charge of government decisions, and encouraged the United States to become involved in Vietnam. |
Historical Connections
As we have learned throughout this year, history repeats itself. For this reason, all of the topic we learned about this semester can be connected to the fear that drove the Vietnam War.
US as a World PowerThe struggle of the Vietnam War was among two main world powers. The United States and the Soviet Union were both strong forces in this time period. Some of the main conflict originated from the efforts of either side to prove their power.
World War IIn World War 1, people were drafted using the Selective Service System. This system was also used for the Vietnam War, and it caused similar outbreak in the United States. The drafting system created more opposition to the war. Great Depression and New DealThe Vietnam War helps provide evidence that Roosevelt’s statement: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, “ is true. The government fear of communism can be connected to the widespread national fear of economic turmoil during the Great Depression. As history proves, fear is a driving factor. Cattle Controversy in WyomingThe opposition of the people to the government during the 1940s in Wyoming was similar to the opposition that the American people as a whole possessed towards the government during the Vietnam War. Locals in my NHD project were afraid of too much federal control without the consent of the people. Similarly, Americans during the Vietnam War were afraid that the government had not followed their beliefs on foreign affairs.
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Progressive EraSimilar to the Progressive Era, the Cold and Vietnam Wars were fought over conflicting ideas. The communist countries opposed free-market capitalism, and the United States was afraid of the Domino Theory coming into effect. These two time periods are directly connected because of the similar fear and questions that arose about government control.
Roaring 20'sThe beliefs of the United States public regarding international relations were very similar during the Roaring 20’s and the Vietnam War. Isolation was widely believed in and many thought that international involvement for any situation was wrong. This is what helped make the United States against war. IndustrializationIt was during the Industrial Revolution between 1760 and 1950 that the United States became a world power. This took place before the government believed in becoming involved in foreign affairs. Without the new advances in production, increases in consumption, and increase of trade of goods, the United States may never have become a dominant world power. If it were not for the power the US possessed during the Vietnam War, the spread of communism would have been less concerning to the government, and therefore would have not been frightening.
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Significance
History is a series of repeating events and lessons that demand to be understood. For this reason it is important to learn about the historical events that shape our society into how it currently is.
A present day connection to the Vietnam War is the War on Terror. Both of these wars were deliberately began over conflicting ideas that scared the American people and/or government. In both cases, there was a fight between countries for the balance of power. Similarly, both of these wars resulted in the American people questioning the integrity of the government.
The Domino Theory of the Vietnam War can be compared to the fear of spreading extreme Islamist jihadis in the current wars. This fear is directly comparable to that of the United States during the anticommunist movement during the Vietnam War.
The Domino Theory of the Vietnam War can be compared to the fear of spreading extreme Islamist jihadis in the current wars. This fear is directly comparable to that of the United States during the anticommunist movement during the Vietnam War.