Outline
Quick background
Engagement in Vietnam
LBJ’s War
The Nixon Doctrine
Congress Takes Back Control
Background in Vietnam
Post WWII division of Vietnam (due to French weakness)
1954 – France leaves & Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam granted independence
Temporary north/south division; rigged referendum; elimination of opposition
‘Elections’ held in North (Ho Chi Minh) and South (Ngô Đình Diệm)
North communism prompts fears of ‘domino’ effect (JFK)
Internal fighting and insurgency from north in late 1950s
Background in USA
JFK presidency:
Bay of Pigs failure
Berlin Wall construction
Cuban Missile Crisis
Pressure to defeat communism
Provides aid and assistance to South Vietnamese
Escalates troop numbers in South – but as advisors only
Encourages successful coup against Diem
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
1964 – Provides President power to take action in Southeast Asia without declaring
war
1971 – repealed, to stop Vietnam War continuing under a ‘Blank Cheque
LBJs War
LBJ initially demurs, but begins bombing campaign in 1965
After bombing, commitment of troops to Vietnam, and move from defensive to
offensive activities
North Vietnamese launch Tet Offensive against US – response is swift, but significant
fatalities, undermining support for war
LBJ recognises weakness, announces he won’t stand for re-election
The Nixon Doctrine
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller katiebaker0705. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
