Introduction
John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States and was in office from 1961 to 1963. During his presidency, he sent troops to Vietnam as part of the Vietnam War. This was a controversial decision that sparked debate and controversy in the United States and around the world. In this essay, I will discuss why Kennedy sent troops to Vietnam and the consequences of this decision. John F. Kennedy, Vietnam War, Vietnam, Troops
Background
The Vietnam War began in 1954, when the French withdrew from the country after a failed attempt to re-establish their colonial rule. The war pitted North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, against South Vietnam, supported by the United States. Kennedy inherited the conflict from his predecessor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had sent advisors to South Vietnam to help the government fight the communist forces in the North.
Kennedy's Decision
Kennedy was determined to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. He believed that if South Vietnam fell to the communists, the rest of the region would soon follow. He also believed that the United States had a moral obligation to help South Vietnam defend itself. As a result, Kennedy decided to send troops to Vietnam to help the South Vietnamese government fight the communists.
Consequences
The consequences of Kennedy's decision were far-reaching. The Vietnam War was one of the longest and most costly wars in American history. It resulted in the deaths of more than 58,000 American soldiers and over two million Vietnamese. It also had a devastating effect on the American economy and public opinion of the war. The war was also a major factor in Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
Conclusion
John F. Kennedy's decision to send troops to Vietnam was a controversial one that had lasting consequences. Kennedy believed that the United States had a moral obligation to help South Vietnam defend itself from communism. However, the war resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans and Vietnamese and had a devastating effect on the American economy and public opinion.