How did Vietnam fit into the domino theory?

Answer 1

The domino theory was a Cold War concept suggesting that the spread of communism in one country would trigger a chain reaction, leading to the fall of neighboring countries to communism. Vietnam was seen as a critical point in Southeast Asia; U.S. officials believed that if Vietnam fell to communism, other countries in the region, such as Laos, Cambodia, and even Thailand, would follow suit. This belief justified American intervention in the Vietnam War as part of a broader strategy to contain communism and prevent its spread throughout Asia. Ultimately, Vietnam's fall to communism in 1975 challenged the validity of the domino theory, as neighboring countries did not necessarily follow suit in the expected manner.