Historically, US involvement in the affairs of Asia began during its colonization by European powers. The "opening" of Japan occurred subsequent to the visit in 1853 by an American naval squadron led by Admiral Matthew Perry. In 1877, ex-President Ulysses S. Grant made diplomatic visits to China and Japan.
Historically, US involvement in the affairs of Asia began during its colonization by European powers. The "opening" of Japan occurred subsequent to the visit in 1853 by an American naval squadron led by Admiral Matthew Perry. In 1877, ex-President Ulysses S. Grant made diplomatic visits to China and Japan.
It is where the War began.
The UN
American involvement in Vietnam actually dates back to 1953, at the request of the French. The Gulf of Tonkin Incident is what led to an escalation of US involvement in 1965.
to prevent communism from spreading in Southeast Asia
The nature of the American involvement in Southeast Asia was to contain Soviet and communist expansion through the Domino Effect Theory. Thus the Cold War became hot not in Europe but through American and United Nations involvement in Korea, and America with some Allied assistance in Vietnam.
Domino Theory
The Truman administration increased American involvement in Vietnam primarily through its support for the French colonial efforts to regain control after World War II. In 1950, the U.S. began providing military and financial aid to France, viewing the conflict as part of the broader struggle against communism during the Cold War. Truman's commitment to the policy of containment laid the groundwork for deeper U.S. engagement in Vietnam, signaling a shift in American foreign policy towards direct involvement in Southeast Asia. This set the stage for subsequent administrations to escalate U.S. military presence and involvement in the region.
The US was involved with negotiations during the division of the country in 1954. US troops began to arrive in 1955. All involvement ceased after April/May (Mayaquez incident) 1975.
The official years of the Vietnam War with significant U.S. involvement are generally considered to be from 1965 to 1973. American combat troops were deployed in 1965, and the U.S. gradually escalated its military presence until the withdrawal began in 1973. Although the conflict itself began in the late 1950s and continued until 1975, the peak of American involvement was during this period.
The principle described by President Eisenhower that became associated with American involvement in Southeast Asia is known as the "Domino Theory." This theory posited that the spread of communism in one nation could trigger a chain reaction, leading to the fall of neighboring countries to communism as well. Eisenhower believed that if Vietnam fell to communism, other countries in the region would follow suit, which justified increased U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia to prevent this outcome.
Australia's involvement in Asia was to provide help to the Allies and also to a couple of Asian armies so they can stop the Japanese advance and push the Japanese back to their country to end the war on the side of Asia.