Truman Doctrine During The Vietnam War
Keeley Stout Professor Smoot April 29, 2016 HIS 109 2-3:15
During the Cold War, the Truman Doctrine became the United State foreign policy. It promised aid to countries fighting against communist regimes. The Vietnam Conflict rose out of a commitment to nation building and a desire to contain communism. All the presidents from Truman to Nixon felt as if communism threatened American interests. In March of 1965, President Johnson sent close to a million troops to mediate the civil war happening in Vietnam. This was known as Operation Rolling Thunder. The United States sided with South Vietnam in fighting against the communist backed North Vietnam. The Vietnam War consisted of several battles within Vietnam and the surrounding area of Laos and Cambodia. The battles further included air raids over North Vietnam. The Battle of Ap Bac is the first major battle followed by the Tet Offensive, the Fall of Saigon and ended with the Battle of Xuan Loc. …show more content…
The commander for the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) was Army Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann. His military philosophy was to search and destroy the enemy. That was difficult against the Viet Cong; they were excellent at hiding and attacking while remaining unseen. Colonel Vann's plan was very complicated and rice patties that were tough to navigate characterized the landscape of the area. Despite being a small-scale battle it taught American servicemen how difficult it would be to fight a war involving guerilla tactics. The Vietcong used strategies such as digging in behind a row of trees and shrubs, hiding from view, and attacking from that position. The loss of lives on both sides was minor. However, it was apparent that the Viet Cong was more than the South Vietnamese could handle, even with American
During the Cold War, the Truman Doctrine became the United State foreign policy. It promised aid to countries fighting against communist regimes. The Vietnam Conflict rose out of a commitment to nation building and a desire to contain communism. All the presidents from Truman to Nixon felt as if communism threatened American interests. In March of 1965, President Johnson sent close to a million troops to mediate the civil war happening in Vietnam. This was known as Operation Rolling Thunder. The United States sided with South Vietnam in fighting against the communist backed North Vietnam. The Vietnam War consisted of several battles within Vietnam and the surrounding area of Laos and Cambodia. The battles further included air raids over North Vietnam. The Battle of Ap Bac is the first major battle followed by the Tet Offensive, the Fall of Saigon and ended with the Battle of Xuan Loc. …show more content…
The commander for the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) was Army Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann. His military philosophy was to search and destroy the enemy. That was difficult against the Viet Cong; they were excellent at hiding and attacking while remaining unseen. Colonel Vann's plan was very complicated and rice patties that were tough to navigate characterized the landscape of the area. Despite being a small-scale battle it taught American servicemen how difficult it would be to fight a war involving guerilla tactics. The Vietcong used strategies such as digging in behind a row of trees and shrubs, hiding from view, and attacking from that position. The loss of lives on both sides was minor. However, it was apparent that the Viet Cong was more than the South Vietnamese could handle, even with American