And Thesis - Annotated Bibliography Example

THE ROLE OF UNITED IN VIETNAM WAR United s was highly involved in the Vietnam War. However, although US tried to conceal the real issues behind its involvement, it played a critical role in this war. Allen, Joe. Vietnam The (Last) War the U.S. Lost. Chicago, Ill: Haymarket Books, 2008. According to Allen, the US role in Vietnam was guided by the countries quest to curb the spread of communist ideologies. The interest of United States towards Vietnam intensified after the collapse of China Nationalist government in 19489.

Therefore, it sought to use the same policy instruments that were being used to reduce the influence of the Soviets in Europe. This is through employing a collective security organization, providing the country with economic aid, and offering military assistance. Nevertheless, I think the US fear that the communist ideology might spread to Vietnam increased its commitment to overthrow leaders that supported communism. Gibbons, William Conrad. The U.S. Government and the Vietnam War: Executive and Legislative Roles and Relationships.

Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1986. The US government role in Vietnam was to offer the Vietnam government with much needed military help in order to enable it overcomes the guerrilla leaders who wanted to advance the communist agenda. In addition, the government wanted to create a country that was viable and one that upheld the democratic views. However, I think the role of US in Vietnam was one of its foreign strategies to cement its dominance in other parts of the world.Gilbert, Oscar E.

, and Duncan Anderson. The US Marine Corps in the Vietnam War: III Marine Amphibious Force, 1965-75. Oxford: Osprey, 2006. The Vietnam War was used by US to test its military strength and response of the Soviet Union on matters of national interest. However, after the eruption of war, the US government was unable to withdraw on time as the opposition groups in Vietnam responded vigorously. With the marine being unfamiliar with the local terrain, they suffered heavy casualties. Nevertheless, retreating from this war would have encouraged the Soviet that the US is weakening militarily, an aspect that would have created more space for Soviet insurgence.

I think the fear that the Soviet could gain ground in Vietnam made the United State intensify its military aid towards Vietnam. Lawrence, Mark Atwood. The Vietnam War A Concise International History. Oxford University Press, USA, 2008. President John F. Kennedy believed that the US has a mandate of preventing the communist-led insurgencies from subverting and overthrowing the shaky new government of Vietnam. Therefore, it offered itself to help Vietnam establish its authority in the land through strengthening its financial and military position in the country.

However, this did not auger well with the Diem who tried to seek help from communist countries in order to reduce US insurgence. This led to eruption of war that was sparked by ideological differences. Nevertheless, I think US was not well prepared to fight this war. Instead, its initial strategy is to play an outside role in stabilizing the Vietnam government. The Pentagon Papers. "U.S. Involvement in the Franco-Viet Minh War: 1950-1954." Background to the Crisis, 1940-50 1 (1971): 1-52. The Role of US in Vietnam was to reduce the influence of the Soviet Union in the land.

In 1965, the US started air raids on the Northern parts of Vietnam. These were parts of Communist controlled areas that were supported by the Soviets. However, even after US massive military aid, heavy bombings, and an increase in the number of troops in the country, the US and South Vietnam was unable to defeat Viet Cong. The intimidation of Cong on US troops made the US restless, an aspect that made the president to decide that it is time to curb the indirect involvement of the Soviet Union in Vietnam.

Nevertheless, I think that the US government was concerned that its military power was being tested and this could be a base for more attacks by the Soviet Union. Therefore, it intensified its role in the country in order to take over the political, social and economic activities in the country.