Message versus Perception during the Americanization of the Vietnam War (original) (raw)

Abstract

, America's direct military involvement in the Vietnam War grew dramatically. Before this period, the US involvement consisted of about 20,000 military advisors, embedded with South Vietnamese Army units engaged in combat with the Vietcong. Beginning in August 1964, the US progressed from punitive bombing of the North to a sustained bombing campaign. Additionally, between March and July 1965, the number of US troops in the country increased to 125,000 and their role changed to direct, offensive action against communist forces in South Vietnam. By the end of this period of escalation, the Vietnam War had become an American war. US public support for the growing war in Vietnam remained consistently high throughout this period of escalation. On 27 August 1965, when asked in a Gallup poll, only 24 percent of respondents felt it was a "mistake" to send US troops to Vietnam, while 60 percent felt it was not. 1 This same support was also reflected in public approval of President Johnson's handling of the war, which was still 59 percent in December 1965. 2 Over the forty years since the beginning of the Vietnam War, a historical narrative has developed in the United States to explain the substantial support the Johnson administration enjoyed during the escalation. According to this narrative, Johnson deceived the American people into war. A great deal has been written about the motives and actions of political and military leaders during this

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References (76)

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