Vietnam – October 2019

OCTOBER 2019 55

those in Latin America or Europe that the U.S. lacked the will to

come to their aid if they were challenged by communism.

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been stopped in aggressive action only by the interposition of West-

ern resolution and force.”

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foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

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Johnson also emphasized the importance of demonstrating U.S.

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that they can count on us if they are attacked. To leave Vietnam to its

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precipitate withdrawal would thus be a disaster of immense magni-

tude. ... Our defeat and humiliation in South Vietnam without ques-

tion would promote recklessness in the councils of those great pow-

ers who have not yet abandoned their goals of world conquest. ...

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A fourth war aimWVM\PI\LM^MTWXMLI[\PM_IZ_I[JMQVONW]OP\

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takes on a sacred character.

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that we shall have an honorable end to the war in Vietnam.”^ And on

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lives so that the people of South Vietnam might live in freedom and

so that the world might live in peace.”

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whose brother died in a helicopter crash in South Vietnam during

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death had any meaning. The president as-

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had not died in vain ... earn[ing] the eternal

devotion of this Nation and other free men

around the world.”

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We are there because we have a prom-

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the people of South Vietnam. We have

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have made a national pledge to help

South Vietnam defend its indepen-

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don this small and brave nation to its

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main great if it betrays it allies and lets down

its friends.

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honorable peace is certainly not surrender.

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North Vietnamese to go through the rituals

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Vietnam would occur through democratic

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toughness. During the hottest phase of the

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Truman administration. A number of schol-

ars have made the persuasive claim that vin-

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and leadership of individual presidents was a

driver for continuing the war.

The Democratic Party was stained with

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did not want to be seen as soft. They felt their

credibility as tough leaders and negotiators

was crucial in maintaining the global bal-

Richard Nixon gets a briefing on the Paris

peace talks from Henry Kissinger during a

consultation at a New York hotel on Nov. 25, 1972.

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