What is the domino theory?
VIETNAM WAR
After WW II the people of Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh, revolted against French rule and won
independence. The peace agreement temporality divided Vietnam into two parts—North
(communist) and South (anti-communists). Vietnam was
divided at the 17th parallel line.
Within two years, elections were supposed to be held to unify
the nation. South Vietnam never allowed the elections. In
1957, Communist guerilla forces known as the Vietcong
began fighting in the South against the government which was
supported by the US.
In August 1964, allegedly North Vietnamese boats attacked
American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Congress quickly
passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution As a result, this
escalated (increased) the number of American troops in
Vietnam. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is as follows:
“Congress approves and supports the determination of the
President to take all necessary measures to repel any armed
attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.”
Questions:
1. What was the importance of the 17th parallel in Vietnam?
2. Who were the Vietcong?
3. What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution let President Johnson do? Why was it
important?
4. Why do you think “war hawks” would want to stay in Vietnam? Why do you think “war
doves” would want to leave Vietnam?
Vietnamization Speech, November 3, 1969 by Richard Milhous Nixon
Good evening, my fellow Americans: - Tonight I want to talk to you on a subject of deep
concern to all Americans and to many people in all parts of the world - the war in Vietnam.
Tonight, therefore, I would like to answer some of the questions that I know are on the minds
of many of you listening to me.
How and why did America get involved in Vietnam in the first place?
Now, let me begin by describing the situation I found when I was inaugurated on January 20.
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The war had been going on for 4 years.
31,000 Americans had been killed in action.
My peace proposal is as follows:
 The gradual withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam, estimated at about 25,000
per month
 The complete withdrawal of American troops by April 1970, estimated out about
150,000 soldiers
What was “Vietnamization?”
The Nixon Doctrine, 1969
Vietnamization was a part of the Nixon Doctrine where Nixon announced the following new
foreign policy:
First, the United States will keep all of its treaty commitments.
Second, we shall provide a shield if a nuclear power threatens the freedom of a nation allied
with us or of a nation whose survival we consider vital to our security.
Third, in cases involving other types of aggression, we shall furnish military and economic
assistance when requested in accordance with our treaty commitments. But we shall look to
the nation directly threatened to assume the primary responsibility of providing the
manpower for its defense.
What was the “Nixon Doctrine?”
Do you think Vietnamization and the Nixon Doctrine were good foreign policies?
Should the US have gotten involved in Vietnam?
Look at the following overview and answer:
Does peace come at a cost? If so, what was the “cost” of peace for the US?