Question

Describe the increasing involvement of the USA in Vietnam under Kennedy.

Answer 1

1. The United States became much more involved in Vietnam during the presidency of John F. Kennedy (1961-1963).
2. Kennedy supported the Domino Theory and worked tirelessly to stop the rise of communism in Southeast Asia. He thought Vietnam was an important part of the Cold War.
3. Kennedy sent more than 16,000 military trainers to South Vietnam, up from about 700 at the start. These experts taught and helped the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN).
4. The U.S. also helped South Vietnam fight the communist Viet Cong insurgency by giving them military weapons, money, and strategic planning.
5. Even though Kennedy backed the South Vietnamese government, he was worried about President Diem’s authoritarian rule and the fact that he was losing support from the people. 
6. The United States indirectly backed a coup in 1963 that killed Diem and caused political unrest.
7. Kennedy’s actions made the United States more committed and set the stage for President Johnson to make things worse.