The Cold War: Vietnam War
To what extent was President Johnson responsible for US involvement in the Vietnam war? (30)
Role of US Presidents in the war
Throughout the duration of the Vietnam war, there were four US presidents that made the country part of
the war. These included President Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. During President
Eisenhower’s time, the USA had become involved in the conflict between the French colonizers and the
nationalist Vietnamese led by Ho Chi Minh who was a communist. However, the conflict escalated during
the times of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson as they continued to deploy American troops in Vietnam.
Eventually, during President Johnson’s time, the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was passed in 1964 that led to a
continued US involvement in the Vietnam war.
1. President Eisenhower:
● In 1950, it was Eisenhower who stressed on the need to contain communism and to
stop the domino theory from occurring.
● He made the USA a part of the conflict between the French colonizers and the
nationalists. This sowed the seeds for the war.
● In 1945 the communist Vietnamese leader, Ho Chi Minh declared independence, the
French weren’t ready to leave and this led to a war.
To what extent was President Johnson responsible for US involvement in the Vietnam war? (30)
Role of US Presidents in the war
Throughout the duration of the Vietnam war, there were four US presidents that made the country part of
the war. These included President Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. During President
Eisenhower’s time, the USA had become involved in the conflict between the French colonizers and the
nationalist Vietnamese led by Ho Chi Minh who was a communist. However, the conflict escalated during
the times of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson as they continued to deploy American troops in Vietnam.
Eventually, during President Johnson’s time, the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was passed in 1964 that led to a
continued US involvement in the Vietnam war.
1. President Eisenhower:
● In 1950, it was Eisenhower who stressed on the need to contain communism and to
stop the domino theory from occurring.
● He made the USA a part of the conflict between the French colonizers and the
nationalists. This sowed the seeds for the war.
● In 1945 the communist Vietnamese leader, Ho Chi Minh declared independence, the
French weren’t ready to leave and this led to a war.
