Explain why there were such different reactions in the USA to the country’s involvement in the conflict in Vietnam in the 1960’s.

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David Gray

Vietnam Coursework: Task 3

Explain why there were such different reactions in the USA to the country’s involvement in the conflict in Vietnam in the 1960’s.

In 1960 the US sent increasing amounts of money, military equipment and advisors to South Vietnam. At this time the US perceived it could play a role in supporting democracy in South Vietnam, against the fear of invasion from the communist North.

When the war in Vietnam started only a small percentage of the American population opposed the war. Those who initially objected to the involvement in Vietnam fell into three main categories; people who had left wing political views who wanted an NLF victory; pacifists who opposed all wars; and liberals who believed that the best way of stopping the spread of communism was by encouraging democratic rather than authoritarian governments. (Simpkin, Vietnam War). Following success in Korea, patriotic Americans, who had never lost a war largely, supported government policy.

Indeed, a 1964 opinion poll showed that 85% of Americans approved of...the war policy. By 1969, fewer than 50% of the population were opposed to anti-war protests. (Smith, The USA 1917-1980)

Since the early 1950’s, the US had increasingly become involved in the affairs of South East Asia. President’s Eisenhower and Kennedy supported the Domino Theory, fearing that if Vietnam fell to communism, neighbouring countries, which had important trade links with the US, would also fall. In the US in 1960 Communism was perceived as a real threat to democracy. The Americans had difficulty understanding the difference between liberal or radical ideas and communism, all were viewed with intolerance, and McCarthyism had encouraged the idea that all views outside those of the mainstream could be seen as unpatriotic. President Eisenhower, who had a distinguished career in the army before entering politics, the increasing arms race and the cold war all encouraged a militaristic influence in foreign policy. There was no proper discussion or decision taken as to whether or not America should commit itself to fighting in Vietnam. President Johnson had to decide whether to intervene in a more decisive manner than either of his predecessors. He was ambivalent and viewed Vietnam as ‘a raggedy-ass fourth rate country’, undeserving of American blood and dollars. He could not however, contemplate America being seen as weak to its communist enemies and once he had committed ground forces, refused to consider a pullout, which would leave him vulnerable to conservative attack.

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Most Americans during the early 1960’s had their eyes fixed on the ‘American dream.’ They wanted a good, steady job, a new car and a family living in a pleasant suburban home. They were not politically active, perhaps not even world-politically aware. The US has a fairly isolationist attitude and fighting a war thousands of miles away did not impinge on most people’s everyday lives. Older people who had served in World War Two or fought against communism in Korea could not understand why young people were unwilling to support the war. The numbers of people under thirty in ...

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