The Vietnam War
To many, the 1960's could definately be considered one of the most controversial decades of this century. It was a time in which many mistakes were made evolving around the Vietnam War which resulted in the immense suffering of two nations. The war had many casualties; along with the death of soldiers and civilians, LBJ's presidency and the 'Great Society' also were killed by the war. The US's fear of the domino theory led them in an attempt to control the spread of communism in North Vietnam, whose government was led by Ho Chi Minh. This attempt had failed in many ways because of an inexperienced president and his unarticulated ideals of how to control a war and satisfy his country at the same time. After the unfortunate assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, his successor, vice-president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, or LBJ, was forced to take the plunge into presidency at a crucial time. The Vietnam War had already been ignited and US involvement was apparent. Because Johnson was an insecure man, and with that insecurity came a fear of being ridiculed, he wanted to show the American people that he could be the best president in US history. Although his intentions to create a 'Great Society' and to win the war in Vietnam were probably for the best, he still managed to make more mistakes that anything else. In August of 1964, LBJ, wantin to look serious about the halt of communism, bombed the North Vietnamese for carrying out attacks on US warships, however, this was mainly to look tough in front of his rival Goldwater. This incident became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. "We knew that the hostile actions against the US ship on the high seas of the Gulf of Tonkin, have today required me to or...
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...iped out the Viet Cong army. "Tet was the roof falling in." (Clark Clifford -sec. of def.) Not only were thousands of Vietnamese and American lives lost but LBJ's dreams and presidency seemed to die as well. The cost of the war was simply too high to keep the 'Great Society' going and everyone else around LBJ was fed up with the war. They wanted America out. Eventually when Johnson finally got it through his head that he was the most hated man in America and his credibility was long gone he announced that no more troops would be sent to Vietnam and that America was willing to make peace. He also stated that he would not seek re-election in the future as he wanted to consolidate all his elbow grease in bringing the war to an end. "Lyndon Johnson believed in the domino theory but his presidency turned out to be the last domino." (Theodore White -American journalism).
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the 1960's could definately be considered one of the most controversial decades of this century.
- Analyzes how the gulf of tonkin incident triggered the viet cong to try and overtake south vietnam. johnson underestimated the tenacity of the vietnamese.
- Opines that johnson was the most hated man in america. he overestimated the number of viet cong that were killed, and riots broke out due to a lack of respect for authority.
- Analyzes how the cost of the war was too high to keep the 'great society' going, and everyone around lbj was fed up with it. johnson announced that no more troops would be sent to vietnam and that america was willing to make peace.
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- January, 1968: Keh Sanh, The Tet Offensive, and the Unraveling of an American Presidencyanalytical essayWhen President Johnson delivered his State of the Union Address to Congress on January 17, 1968 he spoke of the war in Vietnam with optimism. He listed the many military accomplishments to date, mentioned the word “progress” five times, discussed a “fruitful” visit with the pope, and spoke with a tone and tenor that suggested an imminent, peaceful resolution (“Johnson’s Annual Message”). Not three months later – in a similarly important speech to the American people – Johnson stoically announced that he would not be seeking reelection (“Johnson’s Address to the Nation”). What had seemed like an impending certainty dissolved into a distant dream. Public support for the war, and of Johnson, had deteriorated so swiftly in the winter of 1968 that he had no choice but to disband his efforts to seek a second term. What happened in the months between Johnson’s confident State of the Union and his more sullen speech in March of 1968 is no mystery. The Battle of Khe Sanh, combined with the more lastingly impactful Tet Offensive in late January, were devastating blows to American efforts in Vietnam. In hindsight, these events may have been militarily ineffective, yet the cultural ricochets they created throughout America can be seen as nothing short of a major victory for the North Vietnamese. These events were instrumental in turning the tides of the war.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the battle of khe sanh and tet offensive were devastating blows to american efforts in vietnam.
- Analyzes how the 76-day battle at khe sanh ended with both sides claiming victory.
- Analyzes the dramatic shift in american public opinion of the war, and of johnson's handling of it.
- Describes william thomas allison's the tet offensive: a brief history, with documents.
- Analyzes how the tet offensive had a devastating effect on american perception of the war — it showed unforeseen weakness in american forces and unexpected strength in the north vietnamese.
- Analyzes how president lyndon b. johnson's address to the nation announcing steps to limit the war in vietnam and reporting his decision not to seek reelection: march 31, 1968.
1741 wordsRead More - Lyndon B. Johnson in Officeanalytical essayThe conflict in Vietnam was a situation where no matter which path taken, more negative than positive effects would hit the US and their allies. President Lyndon B Johnson took office after the assassination of JFK and now controlled a grieving nation. During the mid 1960s, Unites States President Lyndon B Johnson was forced to make a decision about the future in Vietnam. Any action he took would significantly affect those in the US who were still recovering from the death of a beloved president. Johnson and his advisors quickly narrowed their options down to three distinct options, all with what seemed to provide minimal benefit to the American people. Those three avenues of approach included pulling out all troops already in Vietnam, inserting thousands of more troops into Vietnam, or seeking neutralization over the countries of North and South Vietnam. President Johnson, while considering his options, was highly concerned with “The Domino Theory,” the threat of communism in Southern Asia; however he was also concerned about his image as president. With that being said, he knew that this was a deteriorating situation in Vietnam and no matter what path was chosen, he would face criticism. President Johnson, along with his advisors, procrastinated as long as they could to “pick their poison,” deciding that inserting combat troops was the best way to obtain economic and strategic value in Southern Asia.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how president lyndon b johnson was forced to make a decision about the future in vietnam after the assassination of jfk.
- Analyzes how president johnson's rise to power at home in the us was directly proportional to fall of power in deteriorating south vietnam.
- Explains that lyndon b johnson had three options of how to take on vietnam in front of him, and he took much time consulting with advisors.
- Explains that the president and his advisors questioned themselves constantly about the importance of the countries in southeast asia. the domino theory said if one country falls to communism, others will fall one after another.
- Narrates how the vietcong's attacks against the us troops and what was left of the south became a tipping point for johnson, who realized he needed to bite the bullet despite not having the nerve to do it.
- Explains that president johnson was placed into the vietnam conflict with no way to get around it. after the assassination of john f kennedy, he realized that the ongoing problem in vietnam was worse.
879 wordsRead More - Vietnam And The Vietnam Waranalytical essayThe longest war in the history of the United States took place in Vietnam during the Cold War. The United States involvement in the Vietnam War started when the Vietnamese were fighting the French for independence. Prior to U.S. involvement, France had attempted to govern Vietnam as one of its own colonies, but after years of being at war with the rebels and communists, France could not take anymore. The United States feared of the spread of communism and saw themselves as a democratic super power, and therefore, they felt morally obligated to stand up and fight against communism in place of France. Vietnam was later split into North and South Vietnam at the Geneva Conference which was originally designed to end the French/Vietnam war. Northern Vietnam was run by communists and supported by China and Russia. Southern Vietnam was then solely supported by the United States.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the longest war in the history of the united states took place in vietnam during the cold war.
- Analyzes how the united states fought to contain communism, prevent the domino effect, support a weak south vietnam, and get retaliation for being attacked.
- Explains that the united states did not lose the war as much as they failed to win it. they lost their support back home because the public didn't like what they were seeing in the media.
- Explains that the vietcong fought what is known as a guerilla war, in which they ambushed american vehicles in small groups of three to ten troops.
- Explains that the united states was not prepared to fight in the type of war they had gotten themselves involved in. the vietcong used the ho chi minh trail to transport supplies to their armies.
- Explains that the vietcong were fighting for their freedom and independence, which gave them the will and determination to fight, something the united states lacked.
- Explains that the vietcong were protecting their way of life and their choice of government from an aggressor that was trying to keep them from gaining independence.
1099 wordsRead More - Lbj And Its Impact On The Vietnam Waranalytical essayWith the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, LBJ became president after being sworn in the same day. LBJ promised the nation he would continue to pursue the very essence of what Kennedy was striving for. LBJ, who had his own agenda as well, is noted for his triumphs with Medicare and Medicaid programs as well as for signing the Civil Rights act in 1964. However, even with those certain triumphs, LBJ is and was examined closely with his dealings in how he handled the Vietnam War.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that lbj became president after kennedy's assassination and promised the nation he would continue to pursue the essence of what kennedy was striving for.
- Explains that lbj, like his predecessors, was committed to maintaining an independent south vietnam and achieving success in southeast asia against the rising tide of communism.
- Explains how lbj pushed through a national security agency memorandum on november 26, 1963, which directed the u.s. government to assist the people of south vietnam to win their contest against the externally directed and supported communist conspiracy.
- Explains that lbj was hesitant due to 1964 being an election year. in august 1964 in the gulf of tonkin, u.s. naval ships were attacked.
- Explains that lbj set out to establish a peace process in vietnam, and truly did not want the war to escalate.
- Describes how lbj ordered "operation rolling thunder", which was the continual bombardment of north vietnam. the tet offensive failed miserably, but showed the u.s back home what was going on
- Analyzes how lbj's popularity in his own party plummeted, and he declined any nomination to run. the conflict in vietnam brought him nothing but pain and frustration during his last months in office.
718 wordsRead More - The Vietnam War was an extremely controversial war that took the lives of many Americans and resulted in America’s first losing campaign. The U.S. was involved in Vietnam since World War II supporting Ho Chi Minh and his Communist forces against Japanese occupation. After the result of an incident involving two US vessels, President Lynden Johnson ordered jets to bom...
In this essay, the author
- Imagines playing in the ncaa national championship game in front of 50,000 people and millions of others watching via their televisions at home. after an intensely fought game the final score indicates that a loss was suffered
- Analyzes how america's relationship with returning soldiers from the vietnam war had a negative aura that is still shown over 30 years later. vietnam veterans in america suffered from social, physical, and psychological problems.
- Describes the vietnam war as an extremely controversial war that took the lives of many americans and resulted in america’s first losing campaign.
- Narrates how a division amongst society quickly became apparent in those against the war and those for or fighting in vietnam.
- Explains that the tally of american lives taken by the war exceeded 50,000 people, and society wondered if the american government was trying to end communism or just to increase economic profits from the vietnamese.
- Explains that anti-war activists voiced their opinions stronger than ever after the troops' retreated from vietnam which made for a negative homecoming.
- Explains that many vietnam veterans returning to america felt shunned by the "new" american society. they are scattered throughout the hills and jungles of hawaii and the pacific northwest.
- Explains that of the 3.5 million veterans in the us, 479,000 cases are serious and another 350,000 have moderate symptoms. suicide amongst vietnam veterans is also apparent.
- Opines that the vietnam war can be reflected on by those in generation-x through hear-say, reading, and movies, but one will never fully understand the true feelings between the veterans and society in america.
1591 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of The Vietnam Waranalytical essay1968, the year of the Tet Offensive, was the peak of US involvement in the war. The Tet Offensive was a series of battles between the Communist and Anti-Communist forces in South Vietnam. Although it was a victory for the United States, public support decreased due to the number of casualties and struggle to win the offensive. President Johnson, in his comments on the Tet Offensive, bashed the public opinion (doc 4). He pointed out that in terms of numbers, the US and South Vietnamese had a huge victory. His point of view was simply from a statistical standpoint. But the public saw that many Vietnamese civilians were harmed and affected by the war. The Tet Offensive was the beginning of the decline of public support for the war, as well as decline in US involvement in the war due to the public opinion. In addition, President Johnson was losing support because of his stubborn foreign policy outlook. Robert Kennedy, the Senator of New York, was contemplating a presidential run to oppose the President 's Vietnam policy. In addition, Johnson was losing democratic primaries to Senator Eugene McCarthy, who also opposed Johnson’s Vietnam policy. The public support for McCarthy showed that the American people were now against participation in the Vietnam War. Soon after the Tet Offensive, President Johnson announced a slow decrease in bombings of North Vietnam, started to
In this essay, the author
- Explains that every war comes some sort of public opposition. the gulf of tonkin resolution, the tet offensive, and the kent state shootings all undermined american public support for the vietnam war.
- Explains that the vietnam war had been relatively quiet in terms of american participation. president johnson claimed the attack was unprovoked, even though it may have been provoked. the gulf of tonkin resolution authorized the president to utilize all necessary means.
- Explains that president johnson won a landslide victory in the election of 1964, but he lost the trust of americans with the gulf of tonkin incident.
- Explains that the tet offensive was the peak of us involvement in the war, but public support decreased due to the number of casualties and struggle to win the offensive.
- Explains that many anti-vietnam americans were college students who protested the war on college campuses. the kent state shooting undermined public support for the vietnam war and president nixon.
- Analyzes how the rapid change in public opinion about the vietnam war affected the decision-making of the government.
1255 wordsRead More - John Kennedy Assassinationanalytical essay...nd the approach taken ultimately failed. The turning point of the US involvement was the assassination of JFK. Foreign policy in the United States had been extremely straight forward following WWII. There was no question that the standards for foreign policy would have dictated the massive involvement in Vietnam had two other people been in office during Kennedy and Johnson’s era. The Uniqueness of Kennedy’s foreign policy, and his approach which made him so loved would have dominated over the opinions of McNamara in 1964. But because Kennedy was killed, and the country was in turmoil, and Johnson’s less strict foreign policy, the advice of McNamara was taken more seriously and the US went to very violent conflict in Vietnam. John F. Kennedy would have been more focused on diplomacy and the result would have been a more steady resolution to the communism in Vietnam.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that kennedy's assassination was a miserable event in the timeline of the united states. kennedy would have handled the situation in vietnam differently.
- Explains that the cold war started in 1947, two years after hitler's death and the freedom of europe. the race to berlin is representative of the constant pressure the two world powers put on each other.
- Explains that dwight d. eisenhower's foreign policy standards paralleled the standards that america experienced during the majority of the cold war.
- Explains that kennedy was more collected and had a smart grasp on the handling of situations. dulles convinced kennedy that the invasion would remain secretive and that it would be incredibly successful.
- Analyzes how the bay of pigs was a crucial moment in the kennedy administration. kennedy learned valuable lessons that he would use throughout his presidency.
- Explains that kennedy handled all of his decisions with caution following the bay of pigs failure. the cuban missile crisis was another massive event during kennedy's presidency that was a conflict with communists.
- Analyzes how kennedy was different from eisenhower. he was quicker to look for a diplomatic resolution and to allow time to lessen tensions.
- Analyzes how johnson's domestic prowess, which defined him as a brilliant leader, led to the assassination of john fitzgerald kennedy on november 22, 1963.
- Analyzes how the strong national feelings were enough to push the us into a strong commitment in vietnam. johnson's popularity was dismantled by the decreasing approval of the war.
- Explains that the war in vietnam was a bloody and messy war for the united states. the turning point of the us involvement was the assassination of jfk.
2275 wordsRead More - JFK and the Vietnam Waranalytical essayJOHN F. KENNEDY IN VIETNAM There are many critical questions surrounding United States involvement in Vietnam. American entry to Vietnam was a series of many choices made by five successive presidents during these years of 1945-1975. The policies of John F. Kennedy during the years of 1961-1963 were ones of military action, diplomacy, and liberalism. Each of his decision was on its merits at the time the decision was made. The belief that Vietnam was a test of the Americas ability to defeat communists in Vietnam lay at the center of Kennedy¡¦s policy. Kennedy promised in his inaugural address, Let every nation know...that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty. From the 1880s until World War II, France governed Vietnam as part of French Indochina, which also included Cambodia and Laos. The country was under the formal control of an emperor, Bao Dai. From 1946 until 1954, the Vietnamese struggled for their independence from France during the first Indochina War. At the end of this war, the country was temporarily divided into North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam came under the control of the Vietnamese Communists who had opposed France and aimed for a unified Vietnam under Communist rule. Vietnamese who had collaborated with the French controlled the South. For this reason the United States became involved in Vietnam because it believed that if all of the country fell under a Communist government, Communism would spread throughout Southeast Asia and further. This belief was known as the domino theory. The decision to enter Vietnam reflected America¡¦s idea of its global role-U.S. could not recoil from world leadership. The U.S. government supported the South Vietnamese government. The U.S. government wanted to establish the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), which extended protection to South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in case of Communist subversion. SEATO, which came into force in 1955, became the way which Washington justified its support for South Vietnam; this support eventually became direct involvement of U.S. troops. In 1955, the United States picked Ngo Dinh Diem to replace Bao Dai as head of the anti-Communist regime in South Vietnam. Eisenhower chose to support Ngo Dinh Diem. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Mass., on May 29, 1917. Kennedy graduated from Harvard University in 1940 and joined the Navy the next year.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states' involvement in vietnam was a series of choices made by five successive presidents during the years of 1945-1975. kennedy's policies were one of military action, diplomacy, and liberalism.
- Explains that the decision to enter vietnam reflected america's idea of global leadership. the southeast asia treaty organization (seato) extended protection to south vietnam, cambodia, and laos in case of communist subversion
- Explains that kennedy's cabinet members were made up of many different thinkers, including dean rusk, walt rostow, mcgeorge bundy, and george ball.
- Explains how taylor and mcnamara were sent on a series of trips during 1961-1963 to vietnam.
- Analyzes how the civil rights movement created a climate for protest. the cuban missile crisis raised doubts about kennedy's leadership ability.
- Explains that south vietnamese troops are defeated by a much smaller vietcong force despite u.s. assistance.
- Opines that there is speculation about what president kennedy would have done in vietnam had he not been assassinated.
1800 wordsRead More - The Vietnam Warexplanatory essayMilitary police The Vietnam war brought about multiple uses for the military police. These men had a wide spectrum of jobs, which could range from fighting in the front line all the way to traffic control. They also fought in many battles, raided towns, guarded important cargo and areas, training dogs, digging out tunnel rats, and catching Vietcong members. The members of the military police were separated into 8 different brigades that all fell under the 18th military brigade.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the vietnam war brought about multiple uses for the military police. they fought in battles, raided towns, trained dogs, digging out tunnel rats, and catching vietcong members.
- Explains how the military police corps bravely faced multiple attacks by the vietcongforces during the tet offensive in 1968.
- Explains that america deployed approximately 4,000 war dogs and 10,000 handlers to help defend south vietnam from invasion from north vietnam. the vietcong members placed a bounty on the teams and then hunted them with extreme prejudice.
- Explains that the k9 teams performed many different tasks during their time in vietnam, such as scout dogs, trackers, sentry/patrol dogs and water patrol dogs.
- Explains that the us air force had a great need for sentry dogs to protect the aircraft and supplies being shipped in, but the army wanted nothing to do with it.
- Analyzes how the success of the dogs in the vietnam war was determined by how many attacks they were able to repel, which was a very large amount.
- Opines that the vietnam war was a tragic tragedy, with death toll far greater than it should have been, and the army's decision to leave the dogs behind is despicable and immoral.
- Cites dan's "7 famous dogs of war." dog reflections in honor of memorial day. dogguide, 26 may 2008.
- Explains that vietnam sentry dog alumni, n.d. web. 2 mar. 2014. "military." 18th police brigade. globalsecurity.
- Cites stewart, jim, "war dogs of vietnam." on the job,military police of the vietnam war.
1151 wordsRead More - The Vietnam Warexplanatory essayThere were many events that lead up the Vietnam War, it started in 1945 with the hostilities between the French and Vietminh. “Geopolitical Strategy, economics, domestic US politics, and cultural arrogance shaped the growing American involvement in Vietnam” (Anderson 1). As a matter of fact, the Vietnam War was several wars, but it was not until 1962 that America had their first combat mission, however, Americans were killed during ambushes by the Vietnamese before the first combat mission. There is much controversy over the reasons for the Vietnam War, supported by the several different books and articles written about the war. “The most famous atrocity occurred in a tiny hamlet called My Lai in March 1968” (Detzer 127). History shows that the reaction of many Americans to the attack by US soldiers on the village of My Lai during the Vietnam War was opposition, and the actions of the US soldiers during the My Lai Massacre will be forever remembered as a significant part of the Vietnam War and American History.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how geopolitical strategy, economics, domestic us politics, and cultural arrogance shaped the growing american involvement in vietnam.
- Explains that calley was drafted into the us army after high school, but he wanted to make it his career. he was under direct order of company commander, captain ernest medina.
- Explains that ronald haeberie, a photographer for the us army, stood by taking photos of the atrocities that took place that day.
- Explains that although the exact number of casualties is unknown, it is a known fact that it was no less than one hundred and seventy five people.
- Explains that the target of the attack was the forty-eighth viet cong battalion, but there were no men in the village except the elderly.
- Explains that the stories of the my lai massacre first surfaced in november 1969, confirming the atrocious crimes that took place there.
- Describes how lieutenant william calley, commander of the first platoon at my lai, was charged with one-hundred and nine murders in september of 1969, and sentenced to life in prison with hard labor.
- Explains that the charges were that an american line company had swept through this village and that there were a great, great number of inhabitants who were murdered or massacred or killed, whatever, without provocation.
- Explains that the investigation of the massacre cover up was known as "the peers inquiry", which suggested that twenty-eight officers and two non-commissioned officers suspected of involvement in the cover-up be charged, but all charges were dismissed and the accused officers were found not guilty
- Opines that the my lai massacre is a significant part of american history. it is remembered by most as the us army's most brutal attack on the unarmed, non-combative and innocent villagers.
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