American Failure in Vietnam

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American Failure in Vietnam

Originally, America opted to provide South Vietnam with arms and

funding rather than taking combat action. During March 1965, President

Lyndon Johnston took the decision to involve American in full-scale

combat. During a time when social injustice was resulting in mass

protest and demonstrations, the decision to take action in Vietnam

raised more concerns with civil rights activists. As the situation

intensified and the scenes from Vietnam became more horrific, public

and political support declined and involvement in anti-war groups

increased. The Government could no longer convince the people that

American involvement was necessary in what many grew to believe was an

unjustifiable war.

The American Government decided that their involvement was necessary

to prevent a Communist take-over throughout South East Asia. Johnston

stated that he 'would not lose South Vietnam', despite claiming to be

against the idea of America entering the war.[1] In July 1965,

Johnston attempted to justify his actions when he claimed, 'retreat

does not bring safety and weakness does not bring peace…if we are

driven from the field…no nation can ever again have the same

confidence in American promise.[2] The initial aim was to limit

involvement and therefore, an actual victory would not be possible.

America wanted to prove to the North Vietnamese that they would not

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