John F. Kennedy’s administration’s 1961 decisions on Vietnam

Abstract

Coming to power while the crises in Laos, Berlin and Cuba were reaching the peak, Kennedy believed that Vietnam had an important strategic position and he wanted to lead his alliance to defeat communism there. He started making stronger decisions to intercede into Vietnam such as enhancing economic aid, expanding military, increasing the number of American military consultants and American pilots in the South of Vietnam, and giving approval to conduct the chemical spray campaign in Vietnam. However, Kennedy refused some suggestions made by General Maxwell Taylor and Consultant Walt Rostow about sending American soldiers to Vietnam. However, he would do so if necessary.