America interfered in Vietnam in 3 specific ways between 1954 and 1965: Politically, economically and militarily. These included, the interference in internal elections, the assassination of Diem and interference in the politics of Vietnam.

Other political reasons for America's increasing involvement was that of the influence of advisors into U.S. presidents. John Foster Dulles was influential in persuading the American president Eisenhower in becoming increasingly involved in the affairs of Vietnam. However Kennedy was adamant that it was a Vietnamese war and that the fighting had to be done by Vietnamese soldiers. The U.S. role would be no more than to help with supplies and advisors not combatants. However, these “advisors” became increasingly involver in the war. The number of “advisors” grew from 800 to17,000 in four years. Within another four years, the amount increased to 500,000. This was ironic as US president Johnson had earlier said to the American people that, "We are not about to send American boys.... away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves”

The American elections were another political reason for USA’s involvement. Before the election Johnson could not risk American casualties in Vietnam as they could cost him votes. After winning the election though Johnson was free to escalate the war after no longer being in political danger. Had the Results of the elections gone the other way, huge involvement in Vietnam could not have existed.

The political motives behind the conflict leads to military involvement in Vietnam. U.S. advisors were sent to Vietnam and later U.S. troops became directly involved in the fighting. This was because the South Vietnamese government could not cope with the Vietcong attacks. The Vietcong were creating havoc and seemed to be winning war. Therefore American assistance was required prevent these guerrilla attacks organised by the Vietcong.

However, America did believe that had justification for military involvement; The Gulf of Tonking Incident, an apparent attack, by the North Vietnamese, on two U.S. war ships - the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy. Johnson is quoted as claiming the attacks on Vietnamese bases as “justified retaliation”. Some people however believe that Johnson misled both the American Public over this incident to generate a reason for getting U.S. combatant troops in Vietnam.

Another reason why America became increasingly involved was that of The Korean War (1950-53). In this war the U.S. seemed to have succeeded in stopping the spread of Communism into South Korea from North Korea. So therefore it could be argues that if ‘The domino theory’ and ‘The Truman doctrine’ were successful in Korea then the same could happen for Vietnam.

My final point is American Propaganda. The US government felt they had an image to protect, and with a new president (Kennedy) wanting to make impact on the world, he saw involvement in Vietnam as the perfect opportunity. This could also be reflected in the present, With George Bush wanting to make his mark in history by going to war on Iraq, and dealing with terrorist attacks.

I personally believe that because the American's feared Communism so much and this coupled with the Korean War and America's seemingly success, that America had to be seen to be doing something to stop the spread of Communism. I think that Johnson intended to send American combatants all a long and deceived the American people into believing otherwise. I believe the Domino Theory was a form of propaganda so the American people would gain support, which would boost morals for troops. It would probably have been wiser for the US to support Ho’s regime from the beginning and attempt to influence the situation to their own advantage.