Should Eisenhower be blamed for the increased American involvement in the Vietnam War? (12) Good
Bad
Rejected atomic option suggested by Dulles and Nixon
Supported Diem, despite him being unpopular
Ambrose – Eisenhower was a pure “statesman” – he avoided American involvement in Dienbien Phu….
However, was this just because the British and US congress did not support involvement?
If we understand the nature of the period – the anti-communist fervour, the fear of the domino theory, Eisenhower acted rationally. Logevall states that Eisenhower’s stand in South Vietnam was “not illogical”.
The Geneva Accords stated no international involvement in Vietnam – Eisenhower broke this by being the guarantor of South Vietnam Eisenhower supported Diem’s decision to not involve the North in decisions about elections in 1956. Eisenhower put troops on the ground (1500 advisors) and invested billions in the regime. Rather than focus on making the South Vietnamese government more democratic, the US administration favoured an anti-communist strong government – Long term, this would the US loss credibility for supporting a corrupt regime. Anderson “Eisenhower administration trapped the US into a commitment” in Vietnam.
Conclusion Judging Eisenhower is difficult; it depends upon the question you are asking. Defending Eisenhower
Criticising Eisenhower Was Vietnam a real threat to American interests?
Could America “dump” Vietnam after the fall of China?
Could Eisenhower reverse Truman’s policy in Vietnam of aid, and turn their back on the anti-communist troops?
Was the domino theory a realistic theory on which to lay international policy? What right did America have to involve itself in the internal struggles of the Vietnamese?