Limited Partnership: Kennedy and Diem, 1961-1963

Identifications

Thich Quang Duc
Taylor-Rostow mission
strategic hamlet program
Project ABeef Up
Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV)
General Paul D. Harkins
Battle of Ap Bac
John Kenneth Galbraith
David Halberstam
Mike Mansfield
Buddhist Crisis
Krulak-Mendenhall Mission
DeGaulle Plan of 1962
Souvanna Phouma
McNamara-Taylor Report

Questions for Consideration

1		How do John F. Kennedy's statements on page 89 during his inaugural address reflect his state of mind in January 1961?
2		Why would the author argue that AVietnam stands as the most tragic legacy of the global activism of the Kennedy era?
3		Why did Kennedy refuse to place U.S. troops in Laos and seek a negotiated settlement when he would not do the same in South Vietnam?
4		Why did the Kennedy administration have such a hard time forcing Diem to conform and make changes in 1961?
5		Why does the author argue AKennedy=s decisions in 1961 mark yet another critical turning point in American involvement in Vietnam?
6		How did the Kennedy administration deceive the American public regarding the activities of U.S. advisers' in 1962?
7		What were the challenges the ARVN faced even when backed by U.S. support? How did the Viet Cong respond?
8		Why does the author note that Athroughout 1962, Vietnam remained an operational rather than policy problem?
9		How does the author view the interpretations of Roger Hilsman, Kenneth O'Donnell, and John Newman regarding their assertions that Kennedy would have withdrawn U.S. troops had he lived?
10		Why does the author assert Athe administration was not as innocent as some of its defenders maintained regarding the coup against Diem?
11		What is the author's final appraisal of Kennedy's legacy in Vietnam?