The primary reason that the US decided to enter into the conflict in Vietnam can be explained by the “domino theory.” What is this theory and how does it apply here? Explain in a fully developed paragraph.
The "domino theory" was a Cold War policy that suggested if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall like a row of falling dominoes. This theory was used as a justification for US intervention in Vietnam, as policymakers feared that if South Vietnam fell to communism, the entire region would also become communist-controlled. This fear was further exacerbated by the fact that China and the Soviet Union were supporting North Vietnam, which intensified the perceived threat of communism spreading throughout Southeast Asia. As a result, the US became increasingly involved in Vietnam, ultimately leading to a full-scale military intervention in an effort to thwart the spread of communism in the region.
