The underlying factors which resulted in Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War included the fear of the Domino Theory, the Forward Defence Policy, supporting their loyal ally, the United States, in accordance with the treaties. It is evident that these political and military reasons occurred in order to protect the ideology of Capitalism. Capitalism and Communism were the 2 main conflicting ideologies. The 2 major super powers behind these ideologies was Russia, a supporter of Communism and America, a supporter of Capitalism. It can be determined that the fear of communism would greatly impact the capitalist nations, including Australia.
However, the USA in the 1950s believed that if South Vietnam (which was not controlled by Ho) fell to Ho, this would mean communist expansion. This was because the American administration believed in the domino theory, i.e. once a country falls to communism, this will mean that Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, etc will start to fall to communism. In turn, the USA under Eisenhower drew a line in Vietnam to stop Ho reunification attempt. At the same time they tried to create a strong non-communist South Vietnam under the leadership of Diem.
While the more sophisticated of the US advisers realised that the domino theory was too simplistic in an increasingly non-linear world, split not just by ideology but also historically through ethnic and nationalist conflict, this didn't mean that the USSR and China would exploit any weakness shown by the USA. Cold War Considerations: Western Europe and the USSR De Gaulle's France was challenging US leadership in both Vietnam and Europe. Anti-American riots tore through Panama which was merely the most obvious show of increasing hostility to the USA in the western hemisphere. There were fears that one of the two Communist superpowers might be tempted to use this, forcing the USA to get involved in other local conflicts against their will. Vietnam and the survival of the South were considered a central part of the maintenance of a stable world order, and LBJ in particular said that if Chinese aggression could be contained in South East Asia then it would “give the pole on
Jozeph Kaddissi EN 102 Composition 2 (1:15-2:30) 21 February 2011 Vietnam War: The Fight against Social Injustice The war in Vietnam occurred at a period when the United States perceived communism as a serious threat to democracy, capitalism, American peace of society, and the civilized world. During this period, the USSR and the United States were deeply engrossed in the cold war. The war in Vietnam is only one among the many proxy wars between the communist countries led by the USSR and the capitalistic countries led by the United States. The communist North Vietnam had embarked on a war campaign against the south. Motivated by the need to deter the spread of communist ideology, America felt obligated to intervene to preserve the sovereignty of South Vietnam and possibly to end any further communist incursions in the north.
Outside of Vietnam, the war was shaped as a symbol of threats of communism increasing; however, in the eyes of the Vietnamese, it was seen as South Vietnam attempting to gain independence, resulting in a civil war. The Vietnam War was the longest war in which Australia served in. Unlike most typical wars, the Vietnam War was a guerrilla war.
Explain how far the views in source B differ from those in source A in relation to Kennedy’s concern for South Vietnam’s independence. (12 marks) Source B is mainly suggesting that Kennedy was planning to withdraw the USA from Vietnam as he states that Communism would be the overall victor as it was seen to be very successful and persuasive to many of the Vietnamese people which was seen by the growing support for the Communist troops by the South Vietnamese, especially with the NLF with their anti-Saigon propaganda. Source A is however different to this as it shows that Kennedy is determined to defend South Vietnam from the Communist force and also to maintain their independence. This is backed up by the military adviser and economic aid that Kennedy gave to the Saigon government which was increased greatly during the beginning of his presidency. However, the fact that in source B, when he says that the death of American soldiers is unacceptable, also fits with the economic and military adviser aid as he was not willing to use military force to uphold their independence even though in source A, he is very devout to protect their independence at all costs, which may have included military force.
To what extent was the USA’s response to international aggression based solely on protecting its own national interests in the years 1991-2004? In the years 1991 to 2004 the USA’s response international aggression was often based on protecting its own national interests. Post 9/11 especially saw the USA base nearly all of its responses on protecting its own national interests. However, on some occasions prior to 9/11 they did show some desire to protect global interests rather than just their own. Due to the events of the 11th September 2001 the USA began its war on terror, and specifically targeted was George Bush’s ‘axis of evil’ which included; Iran, Iraq and North Korea.
Each event focused on ideology contrasts from the rest. There were differences in the number of casualties, the costs for war, as well as the reasons for going to war. The United States involved itself in Vietnam because of the belief in the domino theory; that if a single nation fell to communism, the other nations surrounding it, would soon follow. Eventually America found it near impossible to fight against the
One key reason why the US became progressively involved in Vietnam was the fear of the Domino theory. The Domino theory was arguably the most significant cause for the escalation of US support in the Vietnam War. The Americans feared that if they left the corrupt South Vietnamese government alone, the whole country would collapse to communism and ultimately spread to neighboring countries such as Laos and Cambodia. The most important reason as to why the United States became increasingly involved in Vietnam was the long-term effect of the Domino Theory. The Domino Theory was the belief that once one country had fallen to communism, its neighbors would do the same.
The Vietnam War was a civil war fought between the communist north and the capitalist south. The USA got involved in this because they feared the spread of communism because of the domino theory. Domino theory is the idea that if one country was to fall to communism then the rest of the countries in the region. “The US leaders were very worried the Vietnam would be just the start of a chain of communist take-overs...This theory was called the Domino Theory”. China had already become communist and Vietnam seemed to follow.