In the history of the United States, foreign policy has caused many disputes over the proper role in international affairs. Due to the unique beliefs and ideals democracy has instilled in Americans, they feel obligated to act as leaders of the world and help other countries in need. The foreign policies of President Eisenhower led to the involvement of the Americans in the Vietnam War, but to a limited extent. The initial involvement of the U.S. in this conflict was based on strategies to ensure a victory in the Cold War. These foreign policies led to an effective involvement in the Vietnam War from an American perspective. The policies implemented would facilitate the goal of containing communism, and also prevent the over-exertion of armed forces which would demonstrate a weak American force. Preventing Vietnam from becoming a communist state would become imperative given the state of affairs in the p
The French did not find the easy victory over Ho Chi Minh as expected and were endangered of being thrown out of their colonial empire in Southeast Asia which forced them to seek assistance from their American ally. John Foster Dulles, secretary of state, and Eisenhower were convinced that if a French defeat in Southeast Asia was allowed it would begin a “domino” affect. The theory was: Vietnam was first in a row of dominos which, if knocked over into communist hands, would lead to the communization of the rest of Southeast Asia. Although Eisenhower was hesitant to become involved, in 1950 the United States began helping the French with money and arms. In 1953 Eisenhower requested sixty million dollars for French aid, and by 1954 the United States was sustaining eighty percent of the cost of the war between the French and the Communist Vietnam. However, the U.S was convinced that the French could not win without support. O
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