As the 1964 election season begins to heat up, the Kennedy administration's "limited" involvement in propping up the repressive government of Vietnam becomes increasingly unglued, undermined by coups within the Vietnamese military and pressure by North Vietnam and its Communist allies, Russia and China. Kennedy dithers on a decision to begin involving American forces directly, but finally acts in response to domestic political concerns. Whether his actions will backfire very much remains to be seen.

Length: 19:25

Show Notes For This Episode

Next Episode: March 28, 2021