March 14
Kennedy and Southeast Asia
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President Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy. Their ardor for confronting communism in the Third World helped contribute to an expanded US commitment in Vietnam. |
This class will focus on the sticky issue of
understanding John Kennedy's Vietnam legacy. What motivated a President
known for his normally astute response to international affairs to
dramatically increase the US role in Southeast Asia? What were his
long-term intentions toward the region? Did he have other policy
options? Note: The reading for this class is on the long side, but you'll have two class sessions to complete it. |
READING:
DOCUMENTS:
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![]() Southeast Asia at the time of the Geneva Accords, 1954 |