The Vietnam War

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Recommended: Short note on vietnam war

Vietnam was so significant to the United States partly as it would be

the first war they would lose. It also had a tremendous financial

impact on the country and the casualties were also more in the public

eye than ever before due to the media. They learnt that:

"a long war for limited objectives, with its steady stream of body

bags, will not be supported by the American people" (Martino, 1996,

p37).

Some suggest that the US should have avoided any involvement in the

war. However, it is important to consider the political climate of the

time when passing judgement. The aim of this analysis is to explore

the debate surrounding US involvement in the Vietnam War. In

particular, the analysis is concerned with whether or not US

involvement in the war was avoidable and/or desirable. Initially the

background will be covered and the reasons why the US chose to get

involved, followed by analysis of the effects of US involvement. It

will show how US military involvement could and should have been

avoided but involvement in the initial stages was justifiable and

unavoidable considering the circumstances at the time.

At the end of World War Two (WW2) in 1945, it became necessary for the

allies to decide the future of the French colony, Indochina, when the

Japanese, who had been occupying the country, surrendered. President

Roosevelt was opposed to the French returning to power and proposed a

supervised trusteeship. This would have resulted in the Vietnam issue

being in international rather than U.S. hands. The US at the time were

supporting Ho Chi ...

... middle of paper ...

...University.

Available from: http://www.ttu.edu/~vietnam/96papers/lesson.htm

(13/03/01) wwca caw escacas ayca caba nca kcca cauk.

McEntire, D. (1998) Comparing and Critiquing Incrementalism and the

Bureaucratic Politics Model: Implications from the Case of the Vietnam

War (Online), Journal of Public and International Affairs, Princeton

University. Available from: http://www.wws.princeton.edu/~jpia/12.html

(14/03/01)

McWilliams, W. & Piotrowski, H. (1997) The World Since 1945: A History

of International Relations, 4th Edition, London, Lynne Reinner

Publishers Inc.

Palmer, B. (1984) The 25 Year War: America's Military Role in Vietnam,

Kentucky, University of Kentucky Press.

Turley, W. (1986) The Second Indochina War: A short political and

military history 1954-1975, Aldershot, Gower Publishing Company Ltd.

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