Since the beginning of the escalation of the Vietnam War politicians and scientists are discussing the reasons for this intensification of military action. One can find as much theories as theorists. In the following I will present the most important and disseminated concepts.
To create a foundation for my presentation I will shortly describe the chronology of the events which frame the escalation and the escalation itself.
After that I will at first present the official, government explanation for the escalation, which is based on the containment of Communist aggression. Subsequent to that I will portray the two most important theories: the 'Quagmire Theory' and the 'Stalemate Theory'. Furthermore some analysts saw the dilemma in the personality and the authority of the American Presidents. At least there is the idea that the escalation was a result of political and economical interests of the USA.
Finally I will finish my work with my own conclusion about the intervention in the Vietnam War and its escalation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chronology of the escalation of the Vietnam War
- Reasons for escalation
- Containment of Communist aggression
- The quagmire theory
- The stalemate theory
- The President as cause
- Politics and economics
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to analyze the reasons behind the escalation of the Vietnam War. It examines various perspectives and theories offered to explain this intensification of military action.
- Chronology of the Vietnam War escalation
- The role of containment policy in escalating the conflict
- Analysis of competing theories like the Quagmire and Stalemate theories
- The influence of presidential decisions and personalities
- The impact of political and economic interests on US involvement
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of the escalation of the Vietnam War. It highlights the abundance of existing theories and explains the structure of the paper. The author intends to present a chronological overview of the events leading to the escalation, followed by an examination of prominent theories, including the official government explanation focusing on containing communist aggression, the Quagmire Theory, and the Stalemate Theory. The chapter concludes with a preview of the analysis of presidential influence and politico-economic factors, culminating in the author's own conclusion.
Chronology of the escalation of the Vietnam War: This chapter provides a timeline of key events leading to the escalation of the Vietnam War. It begins with President Kennedy's increased military assistance to South Vietnam, excluding the deployment of combat troops. The assassination of Diem, the South Vietnamese leader, in a CIA-backed coup is detailed, followed by Lyndon B. Johnson's assumption of presidency and his differing approach. Johnson's belief that losing South Vietnam would be more costly than military intervention, his justification for increased military assistance, and the Tonkin Gulf incident are discussed as pivotal moments. The chapter describes the passage of the Tonkin Resolution, the subsequent bombing of North Vietnam, and the increasing deployment of US troops. It also highlights the unintended consequences of the bombing campaign, leading to an escalation by North Vietnam, and concludes with the shift in perceptions surrounding the war, the start of peace talks in Paris, and the plan for troop withdrawal.
Keywords
Vietnam War, escalation, containment, communism, Quagmire Theory, Stalemate Theory, Lyndon B. Johnson, Tonkin Gulf Incident, Tonkin Resolution, Cold War, political interests, economic interests, US foreign policy.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vietnam War Escalation Analysis
What is the main objective of this paper?
The main objective is to analyze the reasons behind the escalation of the Vietnam War, examining various perspectives and theories to explain the intensification of military action.
What key themes are explored in this paper?
Key themes include a chronology of the Vietnam War escalation, the role of containment policy, analysis of competing theories (Quagmire and Stalemate theories), the influence of presidential decisions and personalities, and the impact of political and economic interests on US involvement.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, highlighting existing theories and explaining the paper's structure. It previews a chronological overview of events, an examination of prominent theories (including containment, Quagmire, and Stalemate theories), analysis of presidential influence and politico-economic factors, and the author's conclusion.
What does the chapter on the Chronology of the Vietnam War Escalation cover?
This chapter provides a timeline of key events, starting with Kennedy's increased military aid (excluding combat troops), the assassination of Diem, Johnson's presidency and approach, the Tonkin Gulf incident, the Tonkin Resolution, the bombing of North Vietnam, increasing troop deployment, unintended consequences of bombing, the start of peace talks, and the plan for troop withdrawal.
What theories are discussed to explain the escalation of the Vietnam War?
The paper discusses the containment of communist aggression (the official government explanation), the Quagmire Theory, and the Stalemate Theory. These theories offer different perspectives on why the war escalated.
What is the role of presidential decisions and personalities in the escalation?
The paper analyzes how the decisions and actions of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, including their beliefs and approaches to the conflict, significantly influenced the escalation of the Vietnam War.
How do political and economic interests factor into the escalation?
The paper examines the impact of political and economic interests on US involvement in Vietnam, considering how these factors contributed to the decision-making process and the continuation of the war.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Vietnam War, escalation, containment, communism, Quagmire Theory, Stalemate Theory, Lyndon B. Johnson, Tonkin Gulf Incident, Tonkin Resolution, Cold War, political interests, economic interests, US foreign policy.
What is the overall structure of this paper?
The paper follows a structured approach, beginning with an introduction, a detailed chronology of the escalation, analysis of different theories explaining the escalation, and concluding with a summary of findings. It also includes a table of contents and keywords for easy navigation and reference.
- Quote paper
- Sophia Freund (Author), 2005, Escalation of the Vietnam War. Analysis of reasons, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/49278
