The US and Containment in Vietnam and Taiwan
(Depth Study 3: International History, 1945-1991)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
Case Study: Taiwan
Containment Taiwan also success. US policy changed with outbreak of Korea. Before this
USA no intention help Nationalists resist Invasion Communist China. when N. Korea
attacked South Truman sent Seventh fleet Taiwan straits keep peace Nationalist +
Communist Chinese. Eisenhower withdrew 7 Fleet 1953 to unleash Taiwan Nationalist
leader, Chiang Kai-Shek + allow attack China mainland. Nationalists raided Coast China, used
as excuse by Chinese bombard Islands Quemoy + Matsu + invade Taschen Islands. Congress
passed Formosa Res, allowed Eisenhower take military action defend Taiwan. Threatened
China use nukes if invade Taiwan. Also made USSR pressure China back down.
China bombed Quemoy + Matsu 1958, 7 Fleet ordered Taiwan states + US threatened with
Nukes. China backed down. US unhappy dragged into conflict, USSR worried Mao taking
risks.
Containment success in Taiwan?
Brinkmanship by US stopped war. Taiwan continued maintain independence, help US.
Case Study: USA + Containment in Vietnam
Worst failure US Containment, Vietnam. N. Vietnamese Communist not contained. 10 years
military involvement. US left 1973. Feared Asian countries falling Domino effect
Communism like Cambodia + Laos.
How did US get involved?
Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) was French Colony, occupied WW2 by Jap. Nationalist
movement grown during time, Vietnam no desire returns French Post 1945. Ho Chi Minh
(Nationalist) led Vietminh movement (active against Japanese). During defeat Japan, 1945
declared independence for Democratic Republic Vietnam.
(Depth Study 3: International History, 1945-1991)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
Case Study: Taiwan
Containment Taiwan also success. US policy changed with outbreak of Korea. Before this
USA no intention help Nationalists resist Invasion Communist China. when N. Korea
attacked South Truman sent Seventh fleet Taiwan straits keep peace Nationalist +
Communist Chinese. Eisenhower withdrew 7 Fleet 1953 to unleash Taiwan Nationalist
leader, Chiang Kai-Shek + allow attack China mainland. Nationalists raided Coast China, used
as excuse by Chinese bombard Islands Quemoy + Matsu + invade Taschen Islands. Congress
passed Formosa Res, allowed Eisenhower take military action defend Taiwan. Threatened
China use nukes if invade Taiwan. Also made USSR pressure China back down.
China bombed Quemoy + Matsu 1958, 7 Fleet ordered Taiwan states + US threatened with
Nukes. China backed down. US unhappy dragged into conflict, USSR worried Mao taking
risks.
Containment success in Taiwan?
Brinkmanship by US stopped war. Taiwan continued maintain independence, help US.
Case Study: USA + Containment in Vietnam
Worst failure US Containment, Vietnam. N. Vietnamese Communist not contained. 10 years
military involvement. US left 1973. Feared Asian countries falling Domino effect
Communism like Cambodia + Laos.
How did US get involved?
Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) was French Colony, occupied WW2 by Jap. Nationalist
movement grown during time, Vietnam no desire returns French Post 1945. Ho Chi Minh
(Nationalist) led Vietminh movement (active against Japanese). During defeat Japan, 1945
declared independence for Democratic Republic Vietnam.
