Ken Burns’ “Vietnam War” series reminds us that America’s involvement resulted from inane policy based largely on myths, biases and stereotypes. Common myths of the mid-20th century were that communism was monolithic, social justice advocates were communists, Russia and China were communist nations, the “domino theory” was applicable to Southeast Asia, and more.
The reality was, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh was first a nationalist, inspired by the American revolution and ideals. When America betrayed its ideals by thwarting Vietnam’s independence and democratic unification election, Ho had little recourse except to turn to the Russians and then the Chinese.
In Russia, and later, China, elitist, violent, oppressive, imperialistic and nationalistic “communist” parties failed to establish utopian or Marxian communism and sought to undermine America’s international influence. Despite serious misgivings, five successive U.S. presidents bit on the Vietnam bait. They ignored the old maxim: “Divide and conquer.”
Our Vietnam legacy was millions of lives lost, millions more upended, a decimated country and millions of children deformed by Agent Orange. America’s involvement did not improve the eventual outcome. Now, over half a century later, our relationship with Vietnam has improved to where it could have been by 1960. “When will we ever learn?”
