Cold War policy in the wake of the Vietnam War

It is March of 1975 and President Thieu of South Vietnam is asking America for assistance after his nation has been attacked, again, by the North Vietnamese. It has been about two years since the Paris accords ceasefire was signed and American troops left Vietnam. Now, American foreign policy must be dictated in relation to the conflict in Vietnam and beyond. From different perspectives, we will again look at American foreign policy in terms of this specific conflict, as well as the larger Cold War.

First, let’s revisit a key question: who gets to influence American foreign policy? List the individuals and groups that had substantial influence on America’s foreign policy objectives and agenda in 1975:

  • Truman?
  • Eisenhower?
  • JFK?
  • LBJ?
  • Nixon? (p.873)
  • Ford
  • Kissinger?
  • George Wallace (p.846)?
  • Student Anti-war Protestors?
  • Military Leadership
  • Democratic Congresspeople
  • Republican Congresspeople
  • NY Times Reporters (reference to Pentagon Papers (p.870-1))?

Which of these perspectives will we make sure to have represented in our simulation? Circle the choices we make.

Next steps: Form groups, determine which perspective each group is taking, select a captain and a secretary, individually outline the details of your perspective, discuss as a group and come to agreement on the details of your perspective, considering the question at hand in March of 1975 and the other key questions related to American foreign policy at that time, such as:

  • What should the U.S. do about events in Vietnam?
  • What should be the U.S. foreign policy moving forward?
  • What is the status of containment?
  • Who should the U.S. help? Where should the U.S. intervene? Why should the U.S. intervene?
  • What should the U.S. policy with China be?
  • What should the U.S. policy with the Soviet Union be?
  • Etcetc
  • Nixon Doctrine p.873

Next steps: In your group, draft your foreign policy proposal. Then, in mixed groups, argue for your proposal from your perspective and come to a group policy.