5.3.3 The US and Vietnam
The US and Vietnam 1954-1968
Introduction This document presents an overview of significant events and decisions by the United States during the Vietnam conflict, particularly focusing on the period leading up to and including the early stages of the Vietnam War. We will recall that the US victory in World War II was a watershed moment in US history where the United States turned away from isolationism and enthusiastically embraced the role of champion against the spread of communism. We will also recall that public opinion in the United States was heavily influenced by the rhetoric of the Cold War.
US Intervention in Vietnamese Elections In 1956, the United States played a pivotal role in influencing political events in Vietnam. Recognizing the likelihood of Ho Chi Minh's victory in the scheduled elections, which would have likely led to a communist government, the US convinced President Ngo Dinh Diem to cancel these elections. This action was based on the American policy of containing communism.
The Geneva Accords and its Aftermath The cancellation of the elections was deemed a violation of the Geneva Accords by North Vietnam, leading to their invasion of South Vietnam. This marked the beginning of a complex conflict involving not only the North Vietnamese Army, supported by China and Russia, but also the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong), a group of communist sympathizers within South Vietnam.
The Fall of Diem and the US Dilemma With escalating unrest, South Vietnam's leader Diem began losing control. The US faced a dilemma: support Diem and risk the stability of the region, or find an alternative leader capable of opposing Ho Chi Minh. Eventually, a coup, supported by the US, led to Diem's assassination. This event further complicated the American position in Vietnam.
Kennedy’s Assassination and Policy Uncertainty President Kennedy, before his assassination, had initiated a policy review concerning Vietnam. While some believe Kennedy might have considered withdrawing from Vietnam, his assassination left this as mere speculation.
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident and its Consequences In 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin incident, involving an alleged attack on the USS Maddox, led President Johnson to secure congressional support for military action in Vietnam, known as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This resolution marked a significant escalation in US involvement in Vietnam.
American Military Escalation and Public Opinion Following the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the US commenced Operation Rolling Thunder, a prolonged bombing campaign in North Vietnam. Troop numbers also increased significantly, from 100,000 in 1965 to nearly 500,000 by 1968. Initially, there was widespread public support for the war, but by 1968, public opinion had shifted dramatically against it.
Conclusion The United States' involvement in Vietnam was marked by a series of complex decisions and events that shaped the course of the conflict. These decisions, influenced by the overarching goal of containing communism, had profound implications on the political and social landscape of Vietnam and the United States.
Review Questions:
1. How does the United States' victory in World War II explain Americans' overwhelming support for intervention in Vietnam?
2. Why did many people in Vietnam regard American intervention as imperialism rather than defense of democracy?