Vietnam War
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The Vietnam War was the longest, most controversial, and only losing war in our history (Miller, 147). The very utterance of this war brings about bitter feelings to many people because of the many lives that were lost for unclear purposes (Miller, 147).
The United States involvement in the Vietnam War was necessary to prevent the spread of Communism. Eisenhower, Kennedy, and many other politicians felt that "Vietnam represented 'the cornerstone of the Free World in Southeast Asia' and that if the 'red tide of communism' were allowed to advance, it might swallow much of Asia" Miller, 151). Having emerged from World War II as a global superpower, we had a responsibility to take action. "Only the United States had the capacity to defend freedom. Should America fail, Kennedy avowed, 'the whole world, in my opinion, would inevitable begin to move toward the communist bloc'" (Miller, 151). Vietnam had just gained independence from France and was extremely vulnerable. As time progressed, Ho Chi Minh became friendlier and friendlier with the Soviet Union. This scared the United States immensely...