The Vietnam War ended almost half a century ago, but the conflict continues to profoundly influence how Americans view U.S. international responsibilities in the 21st century. The U.S. strategic, economic, and military connection to China, Vietnam, Japan, and the other East Asian nations relates significantly to America's longest war of the last century. The Vietnam experience still affects the decision-making of civilian and military leaders dealing with insurgency, terrorism, and social and political disintegration in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries around the globe. The war that divided Americans in the 1960s and 1970s continues to impact the theory and practice of American democracy. To the surprise of many Americans, the presidential election of 2004 found Senator and presidential contender John Kerry debating the wisdom of that long-ago conflict with Vietnam veterans.

The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the causes of the Vietnam War from the perspective of the United States and its Communist antagonists; the international ramifications of the struggle; the nature of the fighting, especially from 1965 to 1975; how Washington’s decision-making influenced the struggle; the impact of the war on American politics and society; how the Vietnam experience affected U.S. foreign and security policies in Asia for the remainder of the Cold War; and the impact of the Vietnam War on current U.S. counterinsurgency and nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.