Accession Number:

ADA096427

Title:

A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam. Volume 4. US Domestic Factors Influencing Vietnam War Policy Making

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

BDM CORP MCLEAN VA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1980-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

249.0

Abstract:

The Vietnam War demonstrated the important role played by domestic factors in foreign policy making. Social change, the US economy, the media, and the American political scene contributed to the shaping of US involvement in the war. Nevertheless, American domestic politics strongly influenced the course of US involvement in the war. While presidential politics determined the direction of US involvement through the 1960s, congressional reassertion of its constitutional function to advice and consent on foreign policy matters and more specifically on war-related issues characterized the 1970s. The following insights and lessons are derived from each of the five chapters of Volume IV.

Descriptors:

• *POLICIES
• *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• *LIMITED WARFARE
• *VIETNAM
• FOREIGN POLICY
• STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
• PRESIDENT(UNITED STATES)
• PERCEPTION(PSYCHOLOGY)
• MASS MEDIA
• PUBLIC OPINION
• POLITICAL PARTIES
• DOMESTIC
• HISTORY
• DECISION MAKING
• ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Subject Categories:

• Sociology and Law
• Humanities and History
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE