Kennedy's War

What was President Kennedy's involvement in Vietnam?

John F Kennedy was reluctant to commit US troops to Vietnam, and instead wanted to send military advisors and financial aid to support the ARVN in its fight against communism.

When was Kennedy involved in Vietnam?

Kennedy inherited Eisenhower's legacy in Vietnam, so was involved from the start of his presidency in 1961 until his assassination in 1963.

Why did Kennedy get involved in Vietnam?

Kennedy got involved in Vietnam for 3 key reasons:

• ❖ He was very interested in foreign policy.
• ❖ Kennedy was committed to Eisenhower's 'Domino Theory' and the policy of containment. In 1947 he had voted in favour of the Truman Doctrine.
• ❖ When Kennedy took office in 1961 the Cold War was accelerating, with tensions rising between the USA and the USSR.

What influenced Kennedy's involvement in Vietnam?

Kennedy had an extensive domestic programme to deal with at home, and wanted to avoid the financial burden of large-scale military support in Vietnam.

What were the key events in Kennedy's involvement in Vietnam?

There were 6 key events in Kennedy's involvement in Vietnam:

• ❖ He sent approximately 16,000 military experts to train the ARVN. This was more than Eisenhower committed during his presidency.
• ❖ Kennedy was conscious of public opinion and kept the increased US presence in Vietnam a secret.
• ❖ By the end of 1961 the ARVN had increased from 150,000 to 170,000 troops, as a result of funding from Kennedy.
• ❖ He sanctioned the coup by the ARVN to remove Diem from power. Diem was murdered on 1st November, 1963, just weeks before Kennedy was assassinated.
• ❖ He sent 300 US helicopter pilots to South Vietnam, under orders not to engage with the enemy. However, it became increasingly difficult not to as the Vietcong shot at them.
• ❖ He endorsed the Strategic Hamlet programme in Vietnam.

What was the significance of Kennedy's involvement in Vietnam?

Kennedy's involvement in Vietnam was significant as he increased the USA's commitment to the region. Building on Eisenhower's interventions, it would make it very difficult for the next president to scale back.