363 5VietNam

Uploaded from authorPOINTLite
Views:
 
Category: Entertainment
     
 

Presentation Description

No description available.

Comments

Presentation Transcript

The Importance of Viet Nam: 

The Importance of Viet Nam Logical extension of US cold war policy First war the US lost End of the “American Century” Shattered US foreign policy consensus* Still a reference point for US foreign policy*

Background: 

Background Viet Nam fight for independence since 40 AD Chinese, French, Japanese, French again, US Cold war era France vs. Viet Minh (Communists/Nationalists) Ho Chi Minh French defeat 1954

US Makes a Commitment: 

US Makes a Commitment US view: Viet Minh are an arm of Soviet power Nationalism/independence? US takes lead in cold war struggle in Indochina Division of Viet Nam 1954 Plans for 1956 election and reunification Division made official Creation of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem

Viet Minh’s New War: 

Viet Minh’s New War Guerrilla Strategy Insurgency Hit and run strikes, assassinations, Creation of alternative political structure in South De-legitimize government of South Cause it to collapse

Early 1960s: 

Early 1960s South Viet Nam government losing the war Guerrillas winning Viet Cong/National Liberation Front South Viet Nam about to fall to North Viet Nam JFK faced with losing a nation to communism

Strategic Logic of Cold War: 

Strategic Logic of Cold War Blue nation turning red Domino Theory* Monolithic Communism Preventing spread of Soviet-Chinese Communism

Strategic Dilemma: 

Strategic Dilemma Monolithic Communism is incorrect China and Viet Nam are unfriendly How important is Viet Nam to future of Southeast Asia Indonesia

Domestic Political Logic: 

Domestic Political Logic Democrats control Presidency and Congress Truman vilified for losing China JFK negotiated with Communists in Laos Democrats fear domestic repercussions of “losing” South Viet Nam

Domestic Dilemma: 

Domestic Dilemma Do you fight a war just to stay in office? Do you fight so you don’t get blamed for not resolving a potentially un-resolvable problem?

Political-Military Logic: 

Political-Military Logic Flexible Response Enemy strategy: insurgency Our strategy: counterinsurgency Fighting “wars of national liberation” Limited war the modern way

Political-Military Dilemma I: 

Political-Military Dilemma I S. Vietnamese government is corrupt S. Vietnamese government is not supported by people N. Vietnamese seen by many as liberators Ho Chi Minh is viewed by many as Washington and Lincoln

Political-Military Dilemma II: 

Political-Military Dilemma II How do you defeat guerrillas? Test of wills Winning by not losing Successful counter-insurgency? Malaya and Philippines Dependent on creating local government that gains legitimacy and loyalty from the people

Overall Dilemma: 

Overall Dilemma US can’t lose South Viet Nam But can’t destroy North Viet Nam Korea example Can’t win the war for fear of beginning WW III Can’t lose; can’t win

LBJ’s Solution: 

LBJ’s Solution Limited War Bomb, ask for talks, bomb, ask again Rolling Thunder 2/65-3/68 Some troops go in North ready to buckle? No, more troops, no surrender, then more Up to 500,000

The “Logic” of US in Viet Nam: 

The “Logic” of US in Viet Nam Do enough to prevent loss of South Viet Nam Don’t do so much that USSR and/or China intervene Fight war quietly to protect LBJ priorities: Great Society

The Hope of US: 

The Hope of US US always hoping that the next escalation of bombing, the next 50,000 troops will lead North to buckle Never happened The balance of will vs. the balance of power

LBJ folds: 

LBJ folds March 1968 Ends bombing Agrees to negotiation Says no to General’s call for more troops Announces he will not run for reelection

Nixon’s Viet Nam: 

Nixon’s Viet Nam Nixon Doctrine Vietnamization* Troop withdrawal Continued bombing Cambodia* Troops out by 1972 “Peace with Honor”

Deception and Lying: 

Deception and Lying 1963: US actions in Diem’s overthrow LBJ: consistent lying about US winning the war Nixon: ending the war, while actually increasing US bombing “Credibility gap”

Outcome: 

Outcome US out in 1973 North wins in 1975 Life in the unified Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Implications and Lessons: 

Implications and Lessons Limitations of US power Particularly in Nation-Building Nationalism Ignorance: Knowledge of area vs. grand theories Use of force Domestic politics Counter-argument: US won