Vietnam has been characterized by war since the end of world war two and, following the Geneva Accord of the 1954, Vietnam was divided by into North Vietnam inclined to communism and South Vietnam inclined to capitalism. The Vietnam War of 1954-75 was aggravated by the cold war politics between capitalist (America) and communist (soviet union. In the subsequent paragraphs are explain the extent to which the goals and actions of USA in Vietnam cause controversy at home and abroad.
One of the major goal and action of USA that caused controversy was the fuelling of billions of dollars by the USA to the French war effort in Indochina. This assistance was to support France against the communist of Ho Chin Minh. This cause controversy in itself because part of the US government and citizens became very critical about the unprecedented assistance given towards French war effort. This later slows down the assistance which forced France to accept the independence of Vietnam. The Geneva Accord thus divided Vietnam temporary into North and South Vietnam and elections to be organize in 1956 to unit back Vietnam.
Ngo Dinh Dien the South Vietnam leader influenced by USA refused election because they envisage victory in favor of communist Ho chin Minh North Vietnam. This led to communist attack led by the National Liberation Front (NLF) thus, the Vietnam War.
America’s goal in Vietnam most especially South Vietnam was to stop the spread of communism and to prevent other nations from falling in communist aggression. It was considered that if on nation in the south East Asia falls to communist aggression, others will eventually follow. In fact America wanted to work a political program that will ensure freedom and independence of South Vietnam in order to maintain a balance of power.
Moreover, the goals and actions of USA that also cause controversy in Vietnam were as a result of the weaknesses of Dien’s administration in South Vietnam. His administration was very corrupt incompetent and characterized with nepotism and favoritism in the management of internal affairs. His weakness in supporting the minority Catholics against majority Buddhist created serious instability. This led to a split in the church between liberals and conservatives, some Americans were compelled to travel to Tibet and India to seek spiritual guidance from Buddhism leaders. Ngo Dien’s administrative weaknesses in South Vietnam gave room for the pro- communist to preached anti- Dien’s sentiments. This was a direct assault to anti-communism at the detriment of America’s goals in the area.
In fact, according to the student for a democratic society (SDS) the America’s action in Vietnam was a contrast to participatory democracy advocated in the United States. Decisions were left in the hands of a few politicians with no real public debates. This led to anti-war movements with serious protest against the war. Young men seek refuge in Canada to avoid what was considered as an unjust war. Also they questioned the New Left the definition of freedom, which should not be limited on political concepts but be extended to cultural freedom. All these created controversy in the Vietnam.
Conclusively, the goals and actions of America and controversies it created at home and abroad created finally led to what was called Americanization meaning America was fully involved in the Vietnam War. The war itself is one of the longest wars in America’s history and the only war that the USA has lost.
References
- Bush Rush “The Unseen Search for peace” Department of state Bulletin vol. 53, Nov.1965.
- George W. Ball “The issue of Vietnam” Department of state Bulletin vol. 54.
