Explain Why the Us Became Involved in the Vietnam War

Explain why the US became involved in the Vietnam war

The U.S.A became both economically and militarily involved in the Vietnam war due to the paranoia induced by the Domino theory, subsequently leading to a new era of American Foreign Policy resulting in the fabrication of the disastrous Diem Regime. Culminated by the inability to lose a war of ideological superiority and the effects of the Tonkin resolution eventuated in the U.S.A becoming involved in the Vietnam War.  

The paranoia that derived from the Domino theory ushered in a new age of American Foreign Policy; containment, the policy implemented to prevent further spread of communism, leading to the American involvement in Vietnam. As the domino theory states; that if a country would be allowed to fall to communism then surrounding countries would fall, thus the name; Domino Theory. This theory was adopted by the American government, leading the US to adopt the foreign policy containment, to prevent the first domino from falling and the prevention of a communist “world revolution”. As a result of the hysteria created and the new foreign policy, America decided to take a stand in South Vietnam and prevent the further spread of communism in south-east asia. Containment was implemented through the Truman Doctrine, which guaranteed economic and military aid to countries under the threat of communist aggression. This applied to Vietnam and ultimately lead to the involvement of U.S forces in Vietnam. The Marshall Plan was devised to provide western European countries with economic aid, provided to France; the western power occupying Vietnam during the Indochina wars. This funding was used to provide over 70% of the French war efforts, leading to start of American involvement in Vietnam. The foreign policy of containment, was exercised to prevent the further spread of communism and lead to the involvement of the U.S.A in Vietnam.

The hysteria that emanated from the Domino Theory lead to the backing of Ngo Dinh Diem, whose failed regime lead to the U.S.A becoming further involved to prevent the fall of the first domino. The poor rule of Diem is epitomized through the cruel and unjust land reforms that he leads in 1955, resulting in the execution of

55 000 peasants. These reforms gifted the Christian Vietnamese priority over farming land and stripped Buddhist peasants of their estates. As the Buddhists of South Vietnam made up approximately 90% of the population, these reforms lead to the peasants resentment of Diem, resulting in there sympathizing with the enemy Viet Cong. This sympathy given to the Viet Cong lead to significant difficulty in eradicating these soldiers, stemming the increase in American support needed in the Vietnam war. This cumulated with the assassination of Diem and the ending of his regime lead to a significantly increased need for American support and aid in South Vietnam. As this country could not be allowed to fall, America became significantly involved militarily, evidenced by the 160 000 troops sent to Vietnam the year after Diems Fall. The failure of the Diem Regime and the effects of its rule were felt in full force by the Americans, leading the U.S.A to become fully committed and involved in the Vietnam War.

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