American involvement in the Vietnam War Flashcards
What was Containment?
Stopping the advance of Communism wherever it looked like it was gaining ground
Who introduced Containment?
Eisenhower - continued by JFK
Why did the USA support the French in Vietnam?
Thought Vietnamese were allied to Communist China
Why did the presidents support Diem
He was anti-communist
What is another reason why the USA supported French in Vietnam
Wanted to keep the support of France against communism in Europe (where the cold war was also taking place with the Soviet sphere of influence and the Berlin Blockade)
How did American politics affect US involvement?
A sur vote winner to talk tough on Communism and anyone who didn’t was sure to lose votes
How often is a new President elected
4 years
In the 1960 election what did JFK promise
To continue the tough policies of President Eisenhower
What was The Military - Industrial Complex
Some people controversially believe that powerful groups within the USA wanted a war
How were the big businesses impacted
Government gave huge budgets to the military commanders which were spent on contracts for weapons to fight the war. - improved profit margins & increased trade
What were President Eisenhower and his Secretary State JF dulles convinced about
That China and the USSR were planning to spread Communism throughout Asia
