America's Involvement in Vietnam

America's Involvement in Vietnam

From the early 1800’s up until 1931 Vietnam was controlled by France,

Frances rule was then ended as they were forced to pull out of Vietnam

due to the start of WW2, France left a ‘puppet ruler’ named Emperor

Bao Dai. This left Vietnam vulnerable to invasion which was an

opportunity Japan could not refuse and took advantage of Vietnam’s

situation by invading. This sparked the return of a well known

Vietnamese communist, Ho Chi Minh who was an exile during Frances

rein, but thanks to WW2 was able to stage his return and help battle

the Japanese and regain Vietnam’s freedom. The Marshall Plan was the

main way in which the United States for the reconstruction of Europe

following WW2. Between 1948 and 1951 the USA contributed $13 billion

(equivalent to nearly $100 billion in 2005) to 16 European Countries.

This followed President Truman’s speech in 1947.

On March 12th 1947 Harry S Truman gave his famous Doctrine speech

which proposed that the United States shall be able to offer financial

and economical support to free people who are resisting attempted

subjection by armed minorities or outside pressure. In 1949 China fell

victim to the spread of communism which was a huge blow to France and

America. America continued to provide support and aid to the French in

the form of money and weapons up until 1954 when America refused to

sign the Geneva agreement as they believed it tilted the power of

balance towards communism.

In 1954 the French suffered a humiliating defeat to the Vietminh. The

battle occurred on the top of a hill were the French had positioned

themselves at a fortified location called ...

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...965 at an American

base in Pleiku. It was infiltrated and attacked by the Vietcong. Eight

US advisors were killed and hundreds wounded. President Johnson now

had his excuse to attack Vietnam, and on the 11th February he did so

with ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’.

During 1954-1965 America became increasingly involved in the affairs

of Vietnam. This was due to a large number of factors, but mainly due

to its huge objection to communism and paired with its own interests,

such as sustaining its trade with Vietnam and varies other financial

reasons, which will have been of great value. Another less but still

very convincing and valid reason for their increased involvement was

the embarrassment of being beaten by such an unworthy advisory, which

then increased their great fear and hatred of the communist threat

spreading.