thompsonx
Posts: 23322
Joined: 10/1/2006 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Alumbrado quote:
...Perhaps you might care to share which history books state that :The conflict in Vietnam was 'caused' by a series of policy decisions over the course of multiple presidencies" thompson Since I never claimed that those words were a literal quote from any particular text, but instead very specifically stated that it was a reflection of the general historical record, you will just have to play your 'challenge' game by yourself. Anyone not blindly invested in the Hollywood/Washington revision of Vietnam's decades long struggle for independence is free to read about the Truman Doctrine's extension into Indochina, as well as other administration's decisions to oppose that independence, leading to what is popularly referred to as 'The Vietnam War'.. Here are some quick Internet references: quote:
1945- (October) With U.S. support British Major General Gracey lands and restores French control south of the sixteenth parallel (what would later be called "South Vietnam"). Ho Chi Minh appeals to US President Harry Truman to support Vietnamese independence. 1948- Bao Dai again installed as head of state in the South under the French. Indirect U.S. funding of the French side begins under the Truman Administration 1950- The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (in the North) under Ho Chi Minh is recognized by the Soviet bloc; Boa Dai’s government is recognized by the U.S. and Great Britain. Both governments claim to represent all of Vietnam. U.S. continues to aid France in the prosecution of the war and sends first team of U.S. advisors to Indochina. faculty.washington.edu/nsingh/HSTAA 235/Vietnam War Timeline.doc quote:
November, 1946 Ho Chi Minh attempts to negotiate the end of colonial rule with the French without success. The French army shells Haiphong harbor in November, killing over 6,000 Vietnamese civilians, and, by December, open war between France and the Viet Minh begins. Return to Top 1950 The U.S., recognizing Boa Dai's regime as legitimate, begins to subsidize the French in Vietnam; the Chinese Communists, having won their civil war in 1949, begin to supply weapons to the Viet Minh. August 3, 1950 A U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) of 35 men arrives in Saigon. By the end of the year, the U.S. is bearing half of the cost of France's war effort in Vietnam. http://servercc.oakton.edu/~wittman/chronol.htm quote:
The request prompted the Truman administration to re-evaluate the situation in Southeast Asia. Accordingly, they issued the following statement: the threat of Communist aggression in Indochina is only one phase of anticipated Communist plans to seize all of Southeast Asia. In National Security Council Memorandum 64, dated 27 Feb 50, it stated: "all practical measures be taken to prevent further Communist expansions in Southeast Asia. The neighboring countries of Thailand and Burma could be expected to fall under Communist domination if Indochina were controlled by a Communist-dominated government. The balance of Southeast Asia would be in grave hazard." On 1 May 50, President Truman approved the initial allotment of $10 million dollars for French Indochina. These actions signaled the beginning of Phase 2 of Vietnam's struggle for independence. The paramount issue now became clear ... it was Communist versus Anti-communist. http://www.covey-fac.com/history/history1969.htm Alumbrado: While this is quite interesting background it fails to deal with the topic at hand. When the French leave Viet Nam the mission for MACV is over (their mission being the sorting out of which request from the French would be honored and which would be ignored.) History books (not revisionist such as yourself) have stated for thee past fifty years that The U.S. involvement in the Viet Nam war start with Eisenhower. thompson
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