Discuss the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War. Was our involvement justified? Explain why or why not. Use evidence to support your thesis

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Discuss the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War. Was our

involvement justified? Explain why or why not. Use evidence to support your thesis.

        Throughout military history, the United States can be considered as one of the most successful countries. But the “loss” in Vietnam can also be considered as one of the major setbacks for the US historically. Many historians including HR McMaster can agree with the famous aphorism that said “the war was lost on the home front and not on the battlefield”.  This famous phrase may be considered true by some however, not during the war itself. At the time, US troops being sent to Vietnam was certainly a good idea. Anti-war factions in the US were forgetting to take many other factors into consideration. They were forgetting about the US’ strong foreign relations and policies with other countries. They were also forgetting how big of a threat communism was at the time even after witnessing countries such as Cuba, China, North Korea, etc…give in to Soviet ambitions. Therefore, US involvement in Vietnam was justified at the time due to their strong commitment to their foreign alliances and organizations, their strong commitment to their strict foreign policies against communism, and their overall fear of rising communism in vulnerable countries.

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        Due to US’ strong alliance with France and South Vietnam at the time, it can be inferred that the US was dragged into the war. Although the US opposed European colonialism in Asia and demanded independence for Vietnam, France still managed to gain US military support in Vietnam because of the Americans’ strong hatred towards communism and their strong alliance with each other. This way, France gained American defense and war materials to assist them in fighting Ho chi Minh and his armed forces. France was fighting to regain their colonial power whereas the US was fighting to “contain” communism. ...

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