Vietnam Research Project

Authors Avatar
GCSE History

Vietnam Research Project

Introduction

The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular war in American history, the toll they paid wasn't just monetary, it cost the people involved dearly physically and mentally. Causing suffering, sorrow, and national turmoil because of bad press meant that Americans were divided. Which is why this project will be split into questions, which means I can concentrate on one aspect of the Vietnam War at a time. I shall endeavour to delve into to these questions, answering as best I can (with the help of varied historical resources from the Internet, books etc). Which leads me on to tell you the aims of this project, which are:

. To RESEARCH, SELECT and PRESENT information from a variety of historical sources: narrative accounts, maps, photos, eyewitness accounts; government documents, statistics, etc.

2. To make critical use of historical sources to answer specific historical questions.

3. To understand and be able to explain the causes, key features and consequences of the Vietnam War for America, and her status as a superpower.

4. To recognize and explain different interpretations of the conflict.

Why did the USA become involved in Vietnam?

Vietnam was originally a French colony, during the Second World War it was taken form the French, and consequently after WW2 it was returned to the French. Shortly after all this happened the French became locked in a struggle with a communist machine, the Vietminh (The Vietnam Revolutionary League). In 1950 the French asked the USA for some kind of support, basically they wanted some military might behind them because the communist threat was too large for them alone. By 1953 it was found that the USA was paying 70% of the costs ($300,000,00).

It was in the USA's interest to stop areas in the Far East falling under the influence of communism, as the Cold War was at its peak late in the 1940s- early 1950s, which meant another possible Korea in the eyes of the US government. Gradually the US became more and more involved, which meant that they sent in more aid in the hope of stopping some if not all investments from being lost. Around 1954 the French left, but this didn't deter the Americans who continued to support South Vietnam, even when Diem seized control. Politicians in the USA believed that if one country fell to communism, its neighbours would follow like dominoes, (which is why it's called the 'Domino Theory').

In John Kennedy's book, (which he had written in 1956) he said that he was positive about South Vietnam being the key to freedom for the entire region of South East Asia. Even though South Vietnam was anything but free under Diem who ruled like a dictator. It was actually Eisenhower who had the scope to send US military advisors to help the army of South Vietnam, however these advisors didn't physically take part in the combat. When Kennedy became president (in 1961), the number of advisors was increased form 700-15000. Firstly because Kennedy had been discredited for the failure at the Bay of Pigs, secondly he needed some way in which he could retaliate for the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Join now!


By 1963 Diem's control of South Vietnam was so corrupt; that he was constantly being challenged or facing opposition, several Buddhist monks even burned themselves (for more information as to why see below) A general strike was called, as Diem faced opposition from them (so they used their influence to their advantage for a change). Threats were made by Kennedy to withdraw military aid; Kennedy then backed a plot the South Vietnamese generals to arrest Diem. He was actually murdered just 3 weeks before Kennedy.

The Self-Immolation

On June 11, 1963, Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist ...

This is a preview of the whole essay