9. Myth: The United States moved only reluctantly into active involvement in the Vietnam War
There exists a school of thought that the United States was drawn into the Vietnam War as a result of the aggressiveness of the Chinese and the Soviets, both of which supported communist North Vietnam. The United States was committed to the defense of South Vietnam, in this view, and as part of that defense was forced to commit ever increasing resources and numbers of troops in the conflict. According to this myth the United States deployment of combat troops to Vietnam was reflexive, a response to the continuing aggression of the communists, and adverse reaction among the United States’ population was aiding and abetting the communists in their mission.
