Paper Topic:

`Where the Domino Fell` Author: James S. Olson and Randy Roberts

Where the Domino Fell : A Book Review

Where the Domino Fell : America and Vietnam , 1945-1995 , 2nd ed , by James S . Olson and Randy Roberts . New York : St . Martin 's Press , 1996 . 326 pages The book under review , Where the Domino Fell : America and Vietnam by James S . Olson and Randy Roberts , provides a comprehensive account of the wars in Vietnam since 1945 and some important glimpses of Vietnam 's modern history , starting from the end of the Second World War continuing through to the Vietnam War (or the American War in

Vietnam ' as many Vietnamese prefer to call it ) itself . In addition , the book also covers the first and second Indochina War , and then discusses the consequences of the Vietnam War today . The purpose of Where the Domino Fell is to provide readers a comprehensive and unbiased perspective of the Vietnam War . This briefly summarizes the content of the book , reviews its strengths and weaknesses , and states the timely importance of this work by Olson and Roberts

Before we begin our review and analysis of Where the Domino Fell , it is important first to look at the developments prior to the war , during the war , and after the war . In the early 20th century , Vietnam , along with Laos and Cambodia were under French control . In the Second World War the Japanese took control of Vietnam until it surrendered in 1945 . The same year , the Alliance for the Independence of Vietnam (a communist-controlled alliance ) obtained control of North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh , forming the Democratic Republic of Vietnam . In spite if the colossal military aid provided by the US military to the French forces France was eventually beaten by the Vietminh in 1954

In 1954 , Vietnam was divided into two separate zones - Ho Chi Minh 's government would take control of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam , which was supported by China and the Soviet Union on the other hand , Bao Dai would head the State of Vietnam in South Vietnam , which was strongly supported by the US . However , in the following year , Bao Dai went into exile after his Prime Minister , Ngo Dinh Diem , engineered a referendum that abolished the monarchy . The 1956 free elections did not happen , and fearing that Ho Chi Minh would prevail , Diem and the US refused to implement the Geneva Accords

The founding in 1960 of the National Liberation Front (NLF , composed of opponents of the South Vietnamese regime , ignited the Second Indochina War . With more recurrent armed attacks on South Vietnamese villages , Diem 's government progressively turned to undemocratic policies . He was assassinated in 1963 , but the following corrupt Saigon governments failed in establishing credibility with the general population . Held in contempt by the Americans they served , they remained primarily means for ratifying American directives . In 1965 , the government was not consulted on the US decision to commit massive ground forces as the conflict between North and South Vietnam worsened

By 1968 , over half a million American troops occupied South Vietnam However...

7 pages

39.5 KB

Free sing-up