[HST301- ASSESSMENT ITEM 1]
Question 4What attitudes to Asia, communism and America’s place in the world were revealed by the United States involvement in Vietnam in the 1960’s.
There is no definitively acknowledged date that signifies the beginning of America’s involvement within Vietnam. Rather it is a series of events, establishments and decisions, ultimately made and determined by American attitudes and principles toward Asia, Communism and their own nations prestige, power and place in the world. Within this essay the aforementioned aspects and attitudes of the American’s in regard to Vietnam will be explored further. Through this exploration, and the subsequent explanation, it will be shown that American involvement in Vietnam …show more content…
Due to this the spread of communism and the preservation of America’s international ‘power’, a focus on the spread of communism to Vietnam was created- an area of Asia that America had not previously been involved nor concerned with. It was American belief that appeasement, that had such been seen before WWII and throughout the Truman administration, was not one that would secure America’s place in the world nor ensure prestige and international reputation. Thus the U.S vowed to stop the aggression of Communism before it happened, and consequently became involved in Vietnam in an attempt to preserve World stance and order through the containment of Communism. Conclusively, the events, establishments and decisions made by the American leaders in response to the conflict within Vietnam divulge a plethoric insight into the ideals, values and views of American politics during the 1960’s. From the very beginning of 1950, when American involvement in Vietnam first became notable, a wide range of sentiments in regard to international relations was demonstrated and revealed by the American decisions made in regard to Vietnam. Through the decisions made in regard to their involvement America namely displayed their attitude toward the Asian nations, their principles in regard to the existence and expansion of Communism and their position in reference to their ‘place in the world’- their prestige, power and influence. America became involved in Vietnam in the 1960’s for a variety of inter-connected and reflective reasons. Essentially, the philosophy of Communism was in direct opposition to the capitalist and democratic system of Government of the United States. In fear of the spread of such an ideology America decided that becoming involved in South Vietnam was the best way to assure the expansion of communism was not achieved. This decision was not simply made based upon the fear of the spread of Communism, or the “Domino Theory”. Rather