Domino Theory

What was the Domino Theory?

The Domino Theory said that if one country fell under communist influence, the surrounding nations in that region would also fall - like a line of dominos.

When was the Domino Theory created?

The phrase 'Domino Theory' was first used in 1954.

Who came up with the Domino Theory?

The phrase was first used by US President Eisenhower when he suggested the fall of French Indochina to communism could result in a domino effect in south east Asia.

What started the idea of the Domino Theory?

The idea of the 'Domino Theory' was a consequence of the Cold War. The 3 main causes were:

• ❖ The US government had committed to limiting the spread of communism in Europe through the Marshall Plan. The idea was that communism would take root in poorer countries, so supporting those nations' economies would stop the spread.
• ❖ The USA witnessed communist takeovers in some Asian countries including China, North Korea, and North Vietnam.
• ❖ Eisenhower believed Ho Chi Minh wanted all of Vietnam to become communist, and that if this happened communism would spread to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. Vietnam was the first 'domino'.

What was a consequence of the Domino Theory?

To stop the spread of communism in south-east Asia President Eisenhower set up the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) with seven other countries in 1954.

What was the impact of the Domino Theory on the USA?

The fear triggered by the Domino Theory impacted the USA in 5 key ways:

• ❖ People began to believe there were Soviet spies living among American people and plotting to overthrow the government.
• ❖ The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was established to investigate suspected communist spies.
• ❖ Some filmmakers were accused of spreading communist propaganda.
• ❖ The McCarran Act was passed. This legislation restricted employment for communists and stipulated that all communist organisations had to be registered and investigated.
• ❖ It led to something called the Red Scare, a paranoia about communism, which facilitated McCarthyism. This in turn led to an increase of public support for greater involvement in Vietnam.