JFK and the Vietnam JFK and the Vietnam WarWar

Overview: The JFK ParadoxOverview: The JFK Paradox

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BackgroundBackground

American foreign policy after World American foreign policy after World War II had been based on the goal of War II had been based on the goal of containing Communism containing Communism

The The Eisenhower administrationEisenhower administration (1950’s) was concerned that if (1950’s) was concerned that if Vietnam fell under Communist Vietnam fell under Communist control, other Southeast Asian and control, other Southeast Asian and Pacific nations, would fall one by one Pacific nations, would fall one by one

BackgroundBackground In response to that threat, the In response to that threat, the Southeast Southeast

Asia Treaty OrganizationAsia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was (SEATO) was formed in 1955 to prevent Communist formed in 1955 to prevent Communist expansion expansion

President Eisenhower sent some 700 President Eisenhower sent some 700 military personnel as well as a flow of military personnel as well as a flow of military and economic aidmilitary and economic aid to the to the government of South Vietnam. government of South Vietnam.

The effort was foundering when The effort was foundering when John F. John F. KennedyKennedy became president in 1961. became president in 1961.

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BackgroundBackground

Kennedy accelerated the flow of Kennedy accelerated the flow of American aid and gradually American aid and gradually increased the American military increased the American military advisersadvisers to more than 16,000 to more than 16,000

At the same time, he pressed the At the same time, he pressed the Diem government to clean house and Diem government to clean house and institute long-overdue institute long-overdue political and political and economic reforms. economic reforms.

Kennedy’s ParadoxKennedy’s Paradox The situation did not improve. The situation did not improve.

In September of 1963, President Kennedy declared in In September of 1963, President Kennedy declared in an interview, an interview,

““In the final analysis, it is their war. They are the ones In the final analysis, it is their war. They are the ones who have to win it or lose it. We can help them, we can who have to win it or lose it. We can help them, we can give them equipment, we can send our men out there give them equipment, we can send our men out there as advisers, but they have to win it, the people of as advisers, but they have to win it, the people of Vietnam, against the Communists...  But I don't agree Vietnam, against the Communists...  But I don't agree with those who say we should withdraw. That would be with those who say we should withdraw. That would be a great mistake.... [The United States] made this effort a great mistake.... [The United States] made this effort to defend Europe. Now Europe is quite secure. We also to defend Europe. Now Europe is quite secure. We also have to participate—we may not like it—in the defense have to participate—we may not like it—in the defense of Asia.”of Asia.”

This is the paradoxThis is the paradox

Kennedy’s ParadoxKennedy’s Paradox

On November 1, 1963, in a On November 1, 1963, in a coupcoup approved by the Kennedy approved by the Kennedy administration overthrew the South administration overthrew the South Vietnamese governmentVietnamese government

President DiemPresident Diem, refusing an , refusing an American offer of safety contingent American offer of safety contingent upon his resignation, upon his resignation, was was assassinatedassassinated

Kennedy’s ParadoxKennedy’s Paradox

In the final weeks of his life, Kennedy In the final weeks of his life, Kennedy wrestled with the need to decide wrestled with the need to decide the the future of the United States’ future of the United States’ commitment in Vietnam commitment in Vietnam

Whether or not Kennedy would have Whether or not Kennedy would have increased military involvement in increased military involvement in Vietnam or negotiated a withdrawal of Vietnam or negotiated a withdrawal of military personnel still remains hotly military personnel still remains hotly debated debated

John Fitzgerald John Fitzgerald KennedyKennedy

(May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963)(May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963)

Thirty-fifth President of the United States Thirty-fifth President of the United States