U.S. Actions in Vietnam

U.S. Actions in Vietnam

The two viewpoints in the book, “Opposing Veiwpoints in American History” were

about the US actions in the Vietnam. Were they justified or not? According to Lyndon

B. Johnson U.S. actions were justified. Johnson became president after the

assassination of John F. Kennedy. The conflict in Vietnam was already in Vietnam

when Johnson took over. A professor of history at United States International

University in San Diego, Young Hum Kim, has a different viewpoint about the war. He

felt that US actions were not justified and were seriously flawed.

According to President Johnson (1965), the U.S. fought for many reasons. The

object of war is “total conquest”, and the outcome is the works of peace. (pg. 289) He

felt war was necessary to help save many people from brutal assassinations and

kidnappings. Many woman and children were victims because their men were loyal to

their government. Communism was taking over.

“We are there because we have a promise to keep.” (pg290) Johnson felt that

the United States had all the intention to help out the people of South Vietnam. “We

will help defend what we helped build.” If not, it would look as if the U.S. was not

reliable. If the United States breaks one promise, who’s to say they won’t break

another. To break that promise is like putting this little nation in the hands of their

enemy. This would not show loyalty to other nations,especialy South Vietnam, and it

would be unforgivable.

“We are also there to strengthen world order.” (pg290) If the U.S. were to back

out on this war, other nations would see that their promise meant nothing, and they

would not have any confidence in the U.S. What would the value of their commitments

be to these other nations? President Johnson wanted to be trustworthy. If not, the

result would have been definitely a bigger war.

“We are also there because there are great stakes in the balance.” (pg290)

Johnson felt that another reason for fighting was he wanted the people in Vietnam to go

their own direction in life. To be able to choose which kind of life to lead. Some

thought that if they would just stop fighting things would get better, but that would only

lead to China going from one country to another. “We will do anything and everything to

help, if it is absolutely necessary.” For example, President Johnson started to increase