Internet Exercise 1

Restating American Goals in South Vietnam, March 1964

Click on the following link and scroll down to item number 84, Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the President, dated March 16, 1964. Read Section I, U.S. Objectives in South Vietnam:

http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/vol_i/70_107.html

Then review President Dwight Eisenhower's 1954 comments to the press in which he explained the domino theory:

http://www.uiowa.edu/~c030162/Common/Handouts/POTUS/IKE.html


1		According to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara's report to President Johnson, what goal did the United States seek in South Vietnam?



2		What did McNamara predict would happen in Southeast Asia were the United States to fail to meet its objective in South Vietnam? How does this compare with Eisenhower's comments in 1954? Explain.



3		Given America's efforts in South Vietnam since 1954, what global consequences did McNamara assert would result from failure in South Vietnam? Do you agree with this reasoning? Why or why not?

2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.