History DIscussion
Overview
This week we will use the first half of Logevall’s book to examine the circumstances and decisions facing Presidents Kennedy and Johnson between August 1963 and July 1964. We will look at how the international and domestic context affected how decisions were made regarding Vietnam.
Read Logevall according to the syllabus and answer one of the questions below.
1. Did Presidents Kennedy and Johnson differ in their views on Vietnam? Why or why not?
2. How did Johnson’s experiences as a politician affect his views on Vietnam? Did his views hinder or help him?
3. How did anti-war activists at home (not just students but those inside government as well) and abroad (this includes foreign governments who were allies yet against American intervention in Vietnam) affect decision making for Johnson? Did it affect his decision making?
