US involvement in Vietnam War (jan 1, 1965 – jan 1, 1975)

Description:

Caused by:
- Communist takeover of China and Communist N. Korea
- fear of Communism spreading in East Asia (Domino Theory)


Under Eisenhower:
- In North Vietnam, Hi Cho Minh established a communist dictatorship
- South Vietnam → Dinh Diem, whose support came largely from anticommunist, Catholic, and urban Vietnamese
- From 1955 to 1961, US gave over $1 billion in economic and military aid to South Vietnam in an effort to build a stable, anticommunist state

Under Kennedy:
- Chance to test the counterinsurgency doctrine associated with his flexible response military strategy
- Army was training Green Berets to engage in unconventional, small-group warfare; Kennedy wanted to try them out in the Vietnamese jungles

Under Johnson:
- Request for authorization to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent any further aggression”
- Began American takeover of the war in Vietnam after the election was safely behind him
- American ground troops
- Intensification of bombing against Northern Vietnam

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