JFK and the Vietnam War Overview: The JFK Paradox

Background American foreign policy after World War II had been based on the goal of containing Communism American foreign policy after World War II had been based on the goal of containing Communism The Eisenhower administration (1950’s) was concerned that if Vietnam fell under Communist control, other Southeast Asian and Pacific nations, would fall one by one The Eisenhower administration (1950’s) was concerned that if Vietnam fell under Communist control, other Southeast Asian and Pacific nations, would fall one by one

Background In response to that threat, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1955 to prevent Communist expansion In response to that threat, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1955 to prevent Communist expansion President Eisenhower sent some 700 military personnel as well as a flow of military and economic aid to the government of South Vietnam. President Eisenhower sent some 700 military personnel as well as a flow of military and economic aid to the government of South Vietnam. The effort was foundering when John F. Kennedy became president in The effort was foundering when John F. Kennedy became president in 1961.

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Background Kennedy accelerated the flow of American aid and gradually increased the American military advisers to more than 16,000 Kennedy accelerated the flow of American aid and gradually increased the American military advisers to more than 16,000 At the same time, he pressed the Diem government to clean house and institute long-overdue political and economic reforms. At the same time, he pressed the Diem government to clean house and institute long-overdue political and economic reforms.

Kennedy’s Paradox The situation did not improve. The situation did not improve. In September of 1963, President Kennedy declared in an interview, In September of 1963, President Kennedy declared in an interview, “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 give them equipment, we can send our men out there as advisers, but they have to win it, the people of Vietnam, against the Communists... But I don't agree with those who say we should withdraw. That would be a great mistake.... [The United States] made this effort to defend Europe. Now Europe is quite secure. We also have to participate—we may not like it—in the defense of Asia.” “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 give them equipment, we can send our men out there as advisers, but they have to win it, the people of Vietnam, against the Communists... But I don't agree with those who say we should withdraw. That would be a great mistake.... [The United States] made this effort to defend Europe. Now Europe is quite secure. We also have to participate—we may not like it—in the defense of Asia.” This is the paradox This is the paradox

Kennedy’s Paradox On November 1, 1963, in a coup approved by the Kennedy administration overthrew the South Vietnamese government On November 1, 1963, in a coup approved by the Kennedy administration overthrew the South Vietnamese government President Diem, refusing an American offer of safety contingent upon his resignation, was assassinated President Diem, refusing an American offer of safety contingent upon his resignation, was assassinated

Kennedy’s Paradox In the final weeks of his life, Kennedy wrestled with the need to decide the future of the United States’ commitment in Vietnam In the final weeks of his life, Kennedy wrestled with the need to decide the future of the United States’ commitment in Vietnam Whether or not Kennedy would have increased military involvement in Vietnam or negotiated a withdrawal of military personnel still remains hotly debated Whether or not Kennedy would have increased military involvement in Vietnam or negotiated a withdrawal of military personnel still remains hotly debated

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963) Thirty-fifth President of the United States Thirty-fifth President of the United States