Containment, Brinkmanship, and the Domino Theory

1038 Words3 Pages

During the 1950s and 1960s, the United States became involved with various countries around the world. This was so for the reason that the United States was influenced the policies of “containment,” “brinkmanship,” and “domino theory.” As a result of these policies, the United States entered periods of aggression with numerous countries.

The purpose of this paper is to explicate the United States’ foreign policies during the 1950s and 1960s. In order to accomplish present objectives, this essay will advance as follows: Parts 1, 2, and 3 will define the foreign policies of “containment,” “brinkmanship,” and “domino theory,” explain how it influenced U.S. involvement in Korea, Cuba, and Vietnam, and will elucidate the results of interventions, respectively, and ultimately, Part 4 will bring this essay to a closure.

To begin with, the foreign policies that affected the United States during the 1950s and 1960s include: “containment,” “brinkmanship,” and “domino theory.” The concept of “containment” involved utilizing “firm” military, economic, and diplomatic tactics to halt the proliferation of communism, improve United States’ national security, and augment worldwide influence. In supplement of “containment,” U.S. involvement in Korea provided an example of how “containment” influenced the decision to enter the country. With China falling to communism at the hands of Mao Zedong, Korea was the next to become “infected.” Subsequently, Korea underwent a physical division, which resulted in the communist state of North Korea and the now vulnerable South Korea. Urgent to unify Korea as a communist nation, North Korea invaded South Korea and war broke out. In the midst of this, the United States had seen China fall to communism and now h...

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...ent the “domino effect” within the region of Southeast Asia. In spite of this, after nearly 20 years of war, North Vietnam prevailed. The aftermath of U.S. intervention in Vietnam was catastrophic failure. With North Vietnam victorious, the United States withdrew their troops and South Vietnam was dissolved. At long last, North Vietnam had achieved what it aspired and unified North and South Vietnam under a communist regime.

All in all, the foreign policies as stated above contributed to and influenced the decisions of the United States’ involvement around the globe. The United States experienced notions of failure worldwide, which truly damaged American morale. In application to today’s times, the United States can learn from its mistakes in Korea, Cuba, and Vietnam and progress forward to provide a better society for its citizens and enhanced relations abroad.

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