Lyndon B. Johnson- Policy in Vietnam

President Lyndon B. Johnson makes a speech on April 7, 1965 addressing the war in Vietnam, his concerns and why it is his goal and the goal of America to help South Viet-nam. President Johnson intentions is to keep a promise in which he offers support to the people in South Viet-nam and promises to defend their independence. A promise that American Presidents have made and kept since 1954. People all over the world depended on President Johnson to help them, God Forbid they were attacked during the Viet-nam war and Johnson refused to let them down.In his address President Johnson mention that:

"We are there because there be great stakes in the balance. Let no one think for a moment that retreat from Viet-nam would bring an end to conflict. The battle would be renewed in one country and then in another. The central lesson of our time is that the appetite of aggression is never satisfied. To withdraw from one battle field means only to prepare for the next". 

This statement to me means that even after a war has ended a countries be cautious and aware of what could happen next. Nations all around the world should be prepared for any conflict that may come their way because there will always be enemies trying to destroy them. So, President Johnson feels as if it is his responsibility to defend and protect the people who are at risk of being hit during the war.

The objectives that were focused on by President Johnson was stop the spread of communism. He believed in the domino theory which states that if one southeast asian territory fell to communism then the rest would follow suit and join the communist territories. President Johnson really wanted the spread of communism to stop throughout these areas. He made a promise to the people of these territories that he would not let communism spread towards their parts and that he would help preserve a land that we had the best intentions for. The ultimate goal was for South Vietnam was to become free from attacks and run their land the way that they saw best. President Johnson did not want to do this in order for the United States to gain something but for the South Vietnamese to live in peace. He also stated later than until things can be talked peacefully through discussions, then force will be necessary to achieve the independence they need.

By Julian Z. and Kiara P.