Learning Goal: I’m working on a political science writing question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.
After reading and thinking about the case, in 4-6 pages respond to the following questions submit.
Judging from the case, in 1965 from Lyndon Johnson’s standpoint, what facts about the situation in Vietnam are known, what key facts are unknown or unclear, and what are the critical assumptions he makes in his decision to Americanizing the Vietnam war?
What is the “Domino Theory,” what role did it play in American decision-making?
Consider the Bundy memo included in the Vietnam Documents, which discusses the French analogy to America’s situation in Vietnam. What do you see as the strengths/weaknesses of his arguments?
How many “lessons of Korea” do you find invoked in 1964-1965? Applied to what? By whom?
Read the George Ball memo comparing Korea and Viet Nam contained in the Vietnam Documents. What truths or key insights does it contain? Why do you suppose it went unheeded?