This propaganda film was distributed widely in 1966 and presented in high schools and colleges, on national TV, and at PTA and other meetings. It's a powerful film, a piece of propaganda that made sense to many Americans who sought. It was made by the US government.
In 1966 government's justification for its involvement in Vietnam was largely based on the policies and justifications that had been established in the earlier years of U.S. involvement. President Lyndon Johnson reiterated the same general reasons that had been used to justify American military involvement in Vietnam since the early 1960s.
The United States framed its involvement as part of the broader Cold War strategy to contain the spread of communism. The Domino Theory, which posited that the fall of one country to communism could lead to the fall of neighboring countries like dominoes, was often cited as a reason for U.S. intervention.
The U.S. argued that it was supporting the government of South Vietnam, which was viewed as the legitimate government, in its struggle against the communist forces of North Vietnam (the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army).
The U.S. government cited its obligations and commitments to its allies and international organizations like the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) as reasons for its military involvement in Vietnam.
President Johnson's statements during this time generally emphasized the need to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia and the importance of supporting South Vietnam. One of the key statements made by Johnson was his address to the American people on July 28, 1965, in which he stated:
"We do this because we believe it is right and not because we believe it will bring us pleasure. We are there because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954, every American President has offered support to the people of South Vietnam. We have helped to build, and we have helped to defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help South Vietnam defend its independence."
This statement reflects the broader policy of U.S. involvement in Vietnam during that time, which was framed as a commitment to supporting South Vietnam's defense against communist aggression. It's important to note that the Vietnam War was a complex and controversial conflict, and the justifications for U.S. involvement evolved over time, leading to a range of opinions and debates.
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David Hoffman Filmmaker
9 сен 2024