How did the US become involved in the politics of Southeast Asia?
The cold war/red scare.
1.
Which three amendments that were passed almost 100 years earlier, guaranteed that African-Americans had the right to vote?
2.
Why was the Voting Rights Act of 1965 necessary?
3.
Name three ways that local jurisdictions tried to inhibit African-Americans from voting prior to the Voting Rights Act?
4.
Who is appointed to supervise and oversee the election process in a local jurisdiction which violated the Voting Rights Act?
The United States became involved in the politics of Southeast Asia due to a combination of Cold War considerations and its desire to contain the spread of communism in the region. Here's how you can further explore this topic:
1. Cold War context: To understand the US involvement in Southeast Asia, start by studying the broader Cold War narrative. The United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a global struggle for influence, and Southeast Asia became one of the key battlegrounds in this ideological conflict.
2. Indochina Wars: The US involvement intensified during the Indochina Wars, which included the First Indochina War (1946-1954) and the Vietnam War (1955-1975). By examining these wars, you can understand how the US gradually became more deeply involved in the region.
3. French withdrawal: After the First Indochina War, the French withdrew from their former colony in Vietnam, leading to a division of the country into North and South Vietnam. The United States, initially providing economic and military aid to the French, then stepped in to support South Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism.
4. Domino Theory: One of the key ideologies guiding US involvement was the "Domino Theory." It suggested that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow like dominos. This theory influenced US policy towards Southeast Asia.
5. Gulf of Tonkin incident: The US commitment to the Vietnam War deepened following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. The US accused North Vietnam of attacking American navy vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to an escalation of military involvement.
6. Controversial policies: The US involvement in Southeast Asia was marked by controversial policies such as the bombing campaigns, the use of chemical agents like Agent Orange, and the deployment of ground troops. These policies created domestic dissent and solidified opposition to the US presence in the region.
By digging deeper into these historical events and examining the factors and decisions that led to US involvement in Southeast Asia, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of how it unfolded.