American Involvement in the Vietnam War
Like a moth to a flame, the United States has always been attracted to international affairs. In this particular case communism in Vietnam was the flame that leered American bugs in, not knowing that they would be brutally burned by communism in the end. From 1953 to 1961, all the initial decisions involving Vietnam were made by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who once served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe as well as the first Supreme Commander of NATO. Thus, Eisenhower was very knowledgeable about war issues and was prepared to tackle pending conflicts and avert the dispersal of communism when he came into office. Communism was an immense fear of this great patriot, who witnessed to the “Red Scare” during the Truman Administration, and he felt that Vietnam was at great risk as more countries in Asia found communism as an opportunity for independence. The sudden alliances that Ho Chi Minh, President of Vietnam, made with the Communists kindled a fear in Eisenhower, and he felt as though the United States’ capitalistic lifestyle was in jeopardy. Eisenhower preached that in order to save Vietnam, their people, and the security of the U.S. as a known power, the only solution was intervention. Motivated by economic profit and the imminent threat of Soviet influence, the Eisenhower Administration acted upon the “Superman Complex” by supporting Ngo Dinh Diem, and divided Vietnam to impede the globalization of communism between 1945 and 1964.
Eisenhower’s Domino Theory, along with America’s desire for greater economic prosperity, was the major impetus in Vietnam intervention. In 1954, Eisenhower proposed that if South Vietnam was to become a victim of communism, “a crumbling process that could… have grave consequences for [the United States] and for freedom” would follow (Eisenhower, Security). He felt that if Vietnam succumbed to communism, the weaker nations in Asia that were struggling for freedom from colonialism would have no choice but to
Eisenhower’s Domino Theory, along with America’s desire for greater economic prosperity, was the major impetus in Vietnam intervention. In 1954, Eisenhower proposed that if South Vietnam was to become a victim of communism, “a crumbling process that could… have grave consequences for [the United States] and for freedom” would follow (Eisenhower, Security). He felt that if Vietnam succumbed to communism, the weaker nations in Asia that were struggling for freedom from colonialism would have no choice but to