Prof.

Khalid Issa
05/04/20
P.7
Document Based Questions Lesson 6 “The Vietnam War Era”

1. What does the report suggest about conditions in South Vietnam in 1961?
“Deteriorating situation in South Viet-Nam requires attention to the nature and scope of
United States national interests.”
2. What importance did Rusk and McNamara place on the loss of South Vietnam?
The loss of South Viet-Nam to communism would make pointless any further discussion
about the importance of Southeast Asia to the free world, and there would be near certainty
that the remainder of Southeast Asia, and Indonesia would move to a complete
accommodation with Communism, if not formal incorporation with the Communist bloc.
3. What do you think the purpose of this report was?
To give the United States reason to use force and necessary action in Vietnam “to the
nature and scope of United States national interests in that country”.
Document 2
4. According to this document, what events preceded the passage of this resolution?
Naval units of communist regime in Vietnam… repeatedly attacked United States naval
vessels lawfully present in international waters.
5. What was the major provision of this resolution.
Communist regime in Vietnam… created a serious threat to international peace.
6. This influenced the United States exhibit greater military and political presence in South Viet-
Nam “to prevent any further aggression” and “to its national interest and to world peace the
maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia”.