Political Games of Vietnam - 1813 Words

Political games of Vietnam The Vietnam War was a pivotal changing point in the American foreign policy. Through the span of three presidents and the Cold War, Vietnam changed the outlook of America in the world wide arena. After the end of the Indochina war and oppression of Vietnam by the French, the country was split into the north and the south along the 17th parallel. Following the declaration of the Geneva Accord there was to be a demilitarized zone along the north and the south of the 17th parallel and each side of the nation would have 300 days to remove their personnel from the opposing side of the country. North Vietnam, or the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, was controlled by the Vietnamese Communist Party (Worker’s Party) the†¦show more content†¦To send troops in for combat would not hinder the war but it would not be the logical step in ending the war. Eisenhower’s largest debate would be over nuclear weapons and if or when they should be used. Eisenhower was against use of a nuclear force unless all other options were exhausted. When would it be appropriate to use nuclear weapons on a country to save a nation? Eisenhower managed to avoid a nuclear war with North Vietnam and countries allied with North Vietnam. By making policy so that would make it too dangerous for Americans to launch nuclear weapons with the threat of a nuclear war. Initially leaning on massive retaliation theory and then moving toward a theory of flexible response† that would allow a more escalation of force when dealing with the Soviet Union and other communist countries. Prior to his election John Kennedy stated that it was important to keep a check on communist reign throughout Asia. President Kennedy’s cabinet members included Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. In his inaugural address, January 20, 1961, he states â€Å"ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.† (William, 1987). The largest adversary to America at the time that President Kennedy was elected was The Soviet Union, and the battle against communism being the top security concern. The Soviet Union was the universal image of communism and turning other nations towardShow MoreRelatedEffects Of The 1968 Tet Offensive On American Policy And Public Opinion About The War1310 Words   |  6 PagesThe Vietnam War plunged the United States in an ever-increasing dilemma of how to exit what seemed to be an unwinnable war against a formidable foe without losing honor and respect in the global communit y. In a comparison of two essays regarding America’s involvement in Vietnam, the authors offer different perspectives on the war and what led to an America defeat. In the first essay, the effects of the 1968 Tet Offensive are examined and what impact it had on American policy and public opinion aboutRead MoreThe Vietnam War Was A Long And Bloody1502 Words   |  7 Pages The Vietnam War was a long and bloody one. The war began on November 1, 1955 and ended on April 30, 1975. The war lasted nearly 20 years. Over this period, 9,087,000 men from United States were deployed, 58,220 were killed and more than 300,000 were wounded. The war also killed an estimated 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese troops, and 200,000 South Vietnamese troops. The Vietnam War was the first war America ever lost and this lost would lead to a heavy impact on theRead MoreVietnam And The Vietnam War848 Words   |  4 Pageseverything. The Vietnam War changed a lot of people all around the world. The Vietnam War was between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The Vietnam War was a very bloody and violent war. The war was a long and costly-armed conflict. This war changed Vietnam and its citizens forever. During the Vietnam War, North Vietnam and South Vietnam both had received help from other countries. South Vietnam worked with the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. North Vietnam worked withRead MoreAmerica s Involvement Of The Vietnam War1008 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Vietnam War. America’s involvement in the conflict was to stop the evil and corrupt system of Communism. French forces were dead meat unless America teamed up with them. Unfortunately, this didn t stop the nonmoral army under Ho Chi Minh. The United Sates did not win the Vietnam War due to strong motivation, Guerrilla warfare, and the political factors in the United States. First off when America fought in the war they were foreigners. Hardly any of them knew anything about Vietnam, theRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Forrest Gump 1220 Words   |  5 Pageswith 132.6 yards per game, and in scoring defense at 2.2 points per game. No team has posted a lower average scoring defense since. They had gone 8-1-2 in 1960, so their expectations were high this season. Alabama ended their season 11-0. The Pro sports level had many big events going on like the Green Bay Packers Won the first two Super Bowls. The Celtics won 9 out of 10 possible championships during the 1960s and boxing was controlled by Muhammad Ali. The 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan brokeRead MoreAmerican Military Culture : The American Army935 Words   |  4 Pagesnational survival. This historical trend - the continued perception of the Army fighting a war of annihilation - helped in many ways to keep the Army purely focused on its military objectives. Unconditional surrender wa s the name of the game, and smaller political goals were seen at best as derivative to, and at worst, preventative of the fabled total victory . The varied composition of personnel which make up the US army also ensured a degree of formality, and a deference to rank. The structureRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1149 Words   |  5 PagesDuring 1968, the Vietnam War was a major moment in American history. The Vietnam War was the most publicized war during its era; moreover, this was the most unpopular war to hit the United States. All over the country, riots began to raise, anti-war movement spread all over the states begging to stop the war and chaos overseas. During this time, fear and doubt were widespread due to the decisions of the government, and battles occurring in Vietnam. On Jan. 31, 1968, the Tet offense began and theRead MoreA Quick View at the Twnetieth Century United States up to the Vietnam War1604 Words   |  6 Pages The publication medium of print established political awareness for adults, yet captured the attention of youth. Political cartoons impose variations of opinion by showcasing another nation inadequacies in war, subjecting other countries to blame for World War II. In the political cartoons entitled: Daddy, What Did You Do in the Great War, a little blonde girl and her brother seem to be having family time with their father. The cartoon is illustrated to capture a brief pause between the daughter’sRead MoreDefiance in Minorities of United States1682 Words   |  7 Pagesabroad translated into an uninterrupted period of economic growth and labor reforms that re-calibrated the national consciousness and allowed, for the first time, the emergence of a middle class with sufficient autonomy and self-awareness to exert political influence and correct the power imbalance that had characterized the first decades of the 20th century. This social Renaissance, however, had been distribut ed unevenly along racial lines, and no government of the time sought to redress the disparityRead MoreThe Vietnam War and Communism1192 Words   |  5 Pages The Vietnam War was costly not only to our armed forces but to our American economy and American morale. We entered the war in an attempt to end the communist regime of North Vietnam and their southern allies, the Vietcong, from taking over South Vietnam. South Vietnam was an ally of the United States and due to this political relationship; the United States was entitled to help defend their ally. More than 58,000 Americans were killed in the Vietnam War. By 1969 it was the peak of American involvement