China’s Shadow
The recent communist revolution in China amplified fears about Vietnam. Mao Zedong’s 1949 victory shocked American policymakers and seemed to threaten the entire region. China provided material support and training to North Vietnamese forces. American strategists feared a “domino effect” starting in Vietnam might eventually reach the Philippines or even Japan. The memory of “losing China” haunted Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Neither wanted to face accusations of allowing another Asian nation to fall to communism.
