Why did President Johnson increase American involvement in Vietnam?

Answer 1

It was part of American foreign policy to contain Communism. It started with the Truman Doctrine and NSC-68. It was the worry that if one country fell to Communism, then there would be a Domino Effect and more countries would fall to Communism. It wasn't just the idea of a country becoming Communist, but also the closing of that market too, so there was some economics behind it too. This policy stayed in effect even past Vietnam when Central America was becoming Communist too in the 70's and 80's.

Answer 2

We were in Vietnam as advisors, and it became clear that South Vietnam couldn't repel North Vietnam and the Viet Cong by themselves. Johnson believed that it was imperative to repel the communist influence that the North and the Viet Cong represented. Thus, he sent combat troops into Vietnam. This dramatically upped the ante in the conflict, and ultimately led to tragedy. The South Vietnamese government was corrupt and didn't adequately meet the needs of the populace, thus the attraction that many in the south felt toward communist North Vietnam. North Vietnam looked independent vs South Vietnam's dependence on the US, thus nationalistic sentiments would support the North. Johnson misread the situation on the ground as well as misreading the political realities of this part of the world at this time. Thus the tragedy that befel the region.

Answer 3

Johnson felt like he had no choice but to continue the strategy that Kennedy had begun. Johnson felt like he would lose credibilty if he backed off of Vietnam.

Answer 4

Johnson felt that he had to get rid of Communism. And Johnson was a Texan.

Answer 5

We lost China to Communism