A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam
Volume III
US Foreign Policy and Vietnam 1945-1975

TABLE OF CONTENTS


FOREWORD
iii
PREFACE
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES
xv
LIST OF MAPS
xix
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EX-1 to EX-6

1. US GLOBAL POLICY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO US POLICY FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA, 1945-1975
Page
A. Introduction
1-1
B. 1945-1950 (Pre-Korea)
1-3
C. 1950-1955
1-12
D. 1955-1960
1-17
E. 1960-1965
1-22
F. 1965-1970
1-27
G. 1970-1979
1-33
H. Analytic Summary and Insights
1-40

2. HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS WHICH INFLUENCED US INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM
A. Introduction
2-1
B. Appeasement in Munich
2-1
C. The Fall of China
2-6
D. The Cuban Missile Crisis and Berlin: Firmness With the Adversary
2-10
E. The Bay of Pigs: Limited Intervention As a Means of Containment
2-13
F. The Chinese Intervention in Korea
2-17
G. "Never Again" Employ Combat Troops in an Asian Land War
2-22
H. Analytic Summary and Insights
2-25

3. WASHINGTON AND VIETNAM: US NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY MAKERS AND THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS
A. Introduction
3-1
B. The Truman Administration
3-3
C. The Eisenhower Administration
3-12
D. The Kennedy Administration
3-22
E. The Johnson Administration
3-33
F. The Nixon Administration
3-39
G. The Ford Administration
3-48
H. Analytic Summary and Insights
3-55

4. US FOREIGN POLICY AND VIETNAM, 1945-1975: LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
A. Introduction
4-1
B. Lessons
4-1

Appendix
A. SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TO VOLUME III: SIGNIFICANT US NATIONAL POLICY DECISIONS WHICH INFLUENCED US MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM
A-1 to A-99
B. SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TO CHAPTER 3: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON KEY US VIETNAM DECISION MAKERS, 1945-1975, THEIR BACKGROUNDS AND BIASES
B-1 to B-29
C. SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TO CHAPTER 1: A SERIES OF SIX CHARTS SUMMARIZING US GLOBAL INTERESTS AND OBJECTIVES, PERCEIVED THREATS, AND STRATEGIES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO US INTERESTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, 1945-1975
C-1 to C-14
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BB-1 to BB-19

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