The Domino Theory

The basis of the domino theory came from the Korean War because the United States learned that communism was becoming more of a threat in other countries outside of Europe. They were worried that it would end up spreading through all of South East Asia if it took over South Vietnam. They believed that once it was taken over it would spread to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and many more. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon put forth this theory and that is why they supported Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam, to ensure that it did not fall to Communism. “If Indochina falls, Thailand is put in an almost impossible position. The same is true of Malaya with its rubber and tin. The same is true of Indonesia. If this whole part of South East Asia goes under Communist domination or Communist influence, Japan, who trades and must trade with this area in order to exist must inevitably be oriented towards the Communist regime”- Richard Nixon, 1953. This comes from the beginning of the theory when it was first put forth, and it was official in 1954. After this conjecture was put forth America was in very strong support of South Vietnam and pushed them closer into war and was a key factor in starting the Vietnam War. They were very afraid of what would happen to the surrounding countries if one were to fall, and the United States backed this theory from the 1950’s through the 1980’s. This theory was there whole reason for being in Vietnam and they were going to make sure that all of Vietnam did not fall to Communism and have it affect all of South East Asia.

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