United States' Involvement in the Vietnam War

United States' Involvement in the Vietnam War

There are many reasons for American intervention in Vietnam whether it

is political causes, economic causes or military causes. The Americans

want to secure capitalism all over the world and get rid of communism.

The French used to run Vietnam in a capitalist manner. After the

Second World War France attempted to secure and control Vietnam once

more. France refused to recognize the democratic republic of Vietnam

that had been declared by Ho Chi Minh and fighting soon broke out

against the Vietminh and the French troops. The Vietminh had

difficulties coping with the French fighting power and technology.

Their situation improved in 1949 after Mao Zedong’s communist victory

over Chaing Kai-shek in China. The Vietminh now had a safer place were

they could take their wounded and train their soldiers. General Giap

was forced to organize a massive attack on the French at Dien Bien

Phu. While plans were being organized Giap brought up members of the

Vietminh from all over Vietnam. By the time the battle was ready to

start Giap had over 70,000 soldiers surrounding Dien Bien Phu. This

was five times the number of troops than the French. There was no way

the French could win. The Vietminh pushed the French right back until

they only occupied a small area of Dien Bien Phu. The French

surrendered on May 7th 1954. In April 1954 the foreign ministers of

the united states, the soviet union, Britain and France decided to

meet in Geneva to see if they could bring about a peaceful solution to

the conflicts. The following points were agreed: Vietnam would be

divided temporarily in two along the 17th paralle...

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...hich protected 80% of North Vietnams industry

and 75% of its population. In December 1964, 16,000 US troops were in

Vietnam. Lieutenant General William Westmoreland in control of marines

and ARVN. In 1966 268,000 US troops were in Vietnam. By 1968 over half

a million US troops in Vietnam. In 1963 Lyndon B. Johnson takes over

presidency in America after John F. Kennedy was murdered in Dallas.

Lyndon describes the war as “the biggest damn mess I ever saw!” the

Vietcong continue to attack the ARVN. More supplies were coming from

the North. The capitalist republic appeared threatened. America became

heavily involved in both air and ground war where their technological

superiority would be tested to the full extent against a determined

and resourceful enemy intent on removing all foreign influence from

their native country.